A Leeds city centre has shut for a six week refurbishment after a car ploughed through its front window.
About 1.30am on December 2, 2021, a car driven by a drunk driver smashed through the large window of Wellington Place venue Mad Frans, its owners said. The incident left extensive damage to the restaurant, and owners "devastated".
Now the Wellington Street venue, which is renowned for its bottomless brunches and Sunday lunches, has shut until April 14 as it undergoes a huge makeover. "After a long wait, we are finally getting our window back," a spokesperson for Mad Frans said.
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After the incident, they said: "Due to a drink driving accident involving a window section of the bar front, Mad Frans remains closed until next Tuesday [December 7]. We hope to open our doors again on Wednesday December 8 (fingers & toes crossed). Luckily no one was injured when this occurred and we were closed, which was extremely fortunate.
"The Wellington Place team are working relentlessly to ensure we are back open as soon as it’s safe to do so, a huge thank you goes out to all of them for their continued efforts and support. We are even more gutted than you are- believe me!
"Being a small independent is tough enough, without having to deal with this. We are truly devastated."
On Saturday, March 11, owners said: "We should be getting ready for a busy Saturday service but instead this is how we look this morning. Four more Saturdays until we can welcome you all back. Don't drink and drive.
"Insurance has taken ages to sort. No one was hurt luckily. We are taking the time to refurb and refresh." The venue, which is renowned for its bottomless brunches and Sunday roasts, have used temporary fittings while they have been waiting for their insurance to come through.
Following the makeover, the venue will see a "refreshed" space and improvements to the bar area, as well as new offerings for lunch times, bottomless brunches, and Sunday service.
A spokesperson for Mad Frans added: "After a long wait (December 2021) we are finally getting our window back. Six weeks to complete all due to drink driving. We are using this opportunity to refurbish the venue, we will be bringing new offerings for lunch, bottomless, and Sunday.
"We will also be adding some finishing touches to the bar to make the venue the perfect place to hire for all your private party needs. Our bookings reopen on April 15 for all our amazing offerings."
The venue was closed on March 6 and will reopen on April 14.
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