A popular restaurateur has spoken of his heartbreak following the sudden death of his husband and business partner.

Aaron Sergejenkovs Telford, who runs a successful string of Nucleus eateries and art galleries across Medway, announced the passing of his beloved Sergejs Sergejenkovs on social media over the weekend.

Beforehand, Aaron had personally told his 50-strong workforce who have expressed their utter shock and have rallied to support him.

The devastated 35-year-old managing director described Latvian-born Serg, who was his financial director, as “the light and love of my life”.

The couple met 14 years ago at the Rochester Coffee Company in the High Street where Aaron then worked and served him a drink.

They have been together ever since, sharing a house in Gillingham with their two cats Dolores and Reks.

When they were not working flat out at the businesses, they enjoyed travelling the world and, this year alone, have visited Paris, America and the Maldives.

A month after their wedding in 2022 they went on honeymoon to Florida and got caught up in a hurricane which cut short their dream break.

They made up for it the following year by going to Barbados, one of their favourite holiday destinations where they have many friends.

Aaron said: “We got to know people in the hotels who are in service because we are in service too.

“Serg touched so many people in such a nice way, people who were happy to be with him.”

Serg, who is Russian Orthodox, had booked a burial plot in his home country of Latvia where his mother has travelled from to comfort Aaron.

“He truly made the world a brighter and happier place and I’m heartbroken…”

The couple have many friends in the hospitality business and enjoyed socialising and dining out.

Aaron is holding a short memorial service for Serg on Friday, May 17 at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester where they got married.

He will give a brief speech at the museum at the exact spot where they tied the knot on August 22 two years ago.

Guests are then invited to the Nucleus restaurant at the former Conservancy Building next door for a party.

Aaron said: “We liked to party.”

Serg died in the early hours of Thursday, May 2. He was just 37.

Aaron said: ”I told staff that afternoon. I was going to go back to work the following day. But for the first time in my life I feel I need a break and some time out.”

Aaron has worked for Nucleus for more than 10 years and oversees the running of the Continental-style Chatham eatery, which is tucked away off Chatham High Street and opened about 20 years ago.

He's also in charge of the Rochester branch which has celebrated its fourth anniversary and the cafe in Military Road opposite the Pentagon in Chatham.

Last year he opened his latest venture at a former solicitor’s office in Rainham High Street.

We’re all going to miss his personality, his jokes and how he lit up the room when he walked in…”

Aaron’s post on social media said: ”This is Aaron and I have to share something truly awful with all of you.

“Serg has passed away, he was not only my business partner but also my husband and the light and love of my life.

“He truly made the world a brighter and happier place and I’m heartbroken.

“All of my teams are in shock and mourning as we try and digest and understand this truly awful news.

“Café Nucleus will never be the same again without him but we’re going to try our best to make him proud as he looks down on us.

“We’re all going to miss his personality, his jokes and how he lit up the room when he walked in.

“We will have a memorial for Serg to celebrate just how fabulous he is.

“These have been the hardest and darkest days of my life but I know together we’ll get through it. Aaron xx.”