The owner of a popular Thanet restaurant said it was “the worst morning of his life” when his business caught fire.

A major operation is under way to repair Quex Barn in Birchington after a blaze on Sunday morning wrecked the restaurant kitchen, leaving it out of action until the new year due to smoke damage.

Boss Ian Mather took to the business’s Facebook page to thank people for their support and to reassure customers the popular venue will reopen.

The statement says: “The restaurant is going to be out of action for the rest of the year.

“The main barn needs to be cleaned because of smoke damage and this could take some time.

Mr Mather went on: “The barn has become such a big part of my life over the years but it is only a wooden shed and today very quiet and sad, it is you my customers and staff that gives it its atmosphere that make it a lovely place to spend so much of my time.”

Around 30 people are employed at the firm.

Speaking to KentOnline's sister paper, the Thanet Extra, he said that one of his friends broke the news to him.

He said: “She dropped her boyfriend off who is a chef at the restaurant and knew how I would react so wanted to tell me herself.

“We’re still at the stage of assessing everything before work can begin, but once that’s done I’m going to try to put in some mobile units in the pub.”

One of the units will house the butcher business, which was also affected by the fire, to enable it to continue trading.

The 50-year-old has paid tribute to his customers, who he says are incredibly loyal and he’s not afraid of losing them.

He said: “They visit us as part of their routine.

"We have loyal customers who have offered support, they’ve been brilliant and we are very grateful to them."

A number of groups which meet at the venue have had to be relocated.

Musical Bumps, which takes classes at the barn on a Monday, was offered the party room at nearby Jungle Jims.

It is thought that a tumble dryer was the cause of the fire.