Drakeholes: Restaurant repeatedly rammed by stolen telehandler to reopen

A restaurant that was forced to close after a stolen telehandler was repeatedly rammed into the Grade II listed building is set to reopen.

The Mucky Duck, in Drakeholes, Nottinghamshire, was severely damaged when it was targeted on 27 September.

Owner Harriot Bolland said it would reopen on 10 November, following £250,000 worth of repairs.

Nottinghamshire Police said no arrests had been made but it was investigating a number of inquiries.

The owner of the restaurant said it would reopen on 10 November following extensive repairs

Police said the heavy-duty construction vehicle was stolen from Town Street, in nearby Clayworth, and trampled over a pub bench before striking the restaurant at about 23:50 BST.

Footage shows the telehandler driving at the 18th Century building at speed before reversing and hitting it six times in four different places, leaving a gaping hole in the brickwork.

The driver left the vehicle outside the restaurant, in Eel Pool Road, Mattersey, near Retford, before fleeing the scene on foot with an accomplice.

Repair work is due to conclude in the next few days

Ms Bolland said she had been left "shocked and lost for words" and could not understand why someone would target her restaurant.

However, the family-run business, which opened in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and employs 15 members of staff, is due to reopen next week following extensive repairs.

Ms Boland said: "We're looking forward to opening up again. We've got the full team back in.

"It's been a challenge [but] the repairs should be complete by Friday.

"It's a listed building so we've had to get like-for-like window frames and the brick work was from the 1700s.

"And we've had to start it before we've had the insurance money too."

She thanked people who had offered support since the pub was rammed, adding: "We have had so many offered of help with people saying they'd come in and help us clean up.

"The community has been absolutely brilliant."

Ms Bolland said a reward had been offered for any information.

Police have re-appealed for any witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

The family-run business opened in 2020 during the Covid pandemic