THE launch night of a new 90-seat restaurant at The Cutter Inn, Ely, raised more than £400 for Milton Hospice. Diners ate for free on the opening night of the restaurant, which is now one of the largest in the city, but were encouraged to donate to the ho

THE launch night of a new 90-seat restaurant at The Cutter Inn, Ely, raised more than £400 for Milton Hospice.

Diners ate for free on the opening night of the restaurant, which is now one of the largest in the city, but were encouraged to donate to the hospice.

Owners Steve and Jo Haslam, pictured, have converted disused space at the end of the historic building into the new dining area, which had a full house for its first night.

"People have been very complimentary, and we hope our aim to provide a true restaurant but with pub prices has been fulfilled," Mr Haslam said.

"We want people to feel they can come here with their family or as a couple, have a great meal and go home with their wallets intact."

The opening night was followed by a private party to celebrate the 65th birthday of Mr Haslam's father.

"We'd kept him away from the restaurant during the refurbishment so it would be a surprise to thank him for his support and back-up for the last 20 years," Mr Haslam said.

The new restaurant was fitted in just six weeks and represents the final stage of the couple's extensive refurbishment of The Cutter, and Mr Haslam said he is "extremely proud" of the positive response from the community.

"It's like we are custodians of an iconic building," he said, "and it's been great to hear people coming to thank us for giving it a bit of new life."

He said the extension of The Cutter has allowed him to take on more staff - the number of local people working at the site has jumped from four to 42.

Mr Haslam is now organising a gala night to mark the restaurant's official opening.

"We want to invite local businesses to bring something to auction, and there's no reason why we can't raise a bundle for charity," he said.

Mr Haslam thanked his staff for their hard work in getting the restaurant ready in time.

Petition

Anyone can sign the petition at our Market Street office. It is vital the Milton Children's Hospice has money to provide the intensive care and support needed to help sick children and their parents. We are urging the Government to provide more funding for hospices like Milton. Currently they only received a small fraction of the money needed to run the facility from statuary sources.

Go online and sign our petition at: www.cambs24.co.uk or come in to the Ely Standard and sign up. If you own a business and want a petition form phone 01353 667831 or email: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk.

Fund-raising

If you are planning a fund-raising event let us know about it. If you would like to organise a fund-raising event, go online at www.each.org.uk for details or phone the Milton fund-raising office on 01223 205180.

Phones/cartridges

You can drop unwanted mobile phones and used printer cartridges in at our office, Cambridge Building Society, Ely, Cloisters Antiques, Ely and the Atrium Club, Ely.