BISTRO Les Chats will reopen on Friday with a new chef at the helm, less than two months after its sudden closure.

Swindon foodies were left in a tizz in September when owners announced their decision to shut the French restaurant to focus on the successful Los Gatos in nearby Devizes Road instead.

Inundated with calls to bring back Les Chats, Phil Saunter and Shareen Campbell eventually decided to resurrect the Wood Street bistro, as a pan-European restaurant.

They said: “In the last month, we have been overwhelmed with goodwill and support, countless enquiries as to the future of the restaurant and entreaties to reopen it as soon as possible. Many people have told us how much they miss it, while continuing to support us in Los Gatos with its very different style.

"The message we received loud and clear was ‘Swindon needs Bistro Les Chats’.

“We took a short holiday to relax and think about it from a distance. While in Spain, we missed Los Gatos and in when in France, we were reminded why we’d opened Les Chats five years ago and missed it even more.

"One of our regular customers had put us in touch with a talented young chef and his partner who were looking for an opportunity, and on return from our break, we met, sampled his stunningly good food and agreed to work together.”

The new chef, Alessandro Gianati, has 10 years’ experience in the industry and has trained for three years under Michelin-star chef Paolo Frosio.

His partner Valentina Vergari is an experienced front of house waitress and manager.

Chef Peter Matysek, who worked at the French restaurant before moving to Los Gatos, and Miles Andrews, well known for his cheerful service, will return to the Bistro.

Les Chats will open for lunch and dinner on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To book and see the menu go to www.leschats.co.uk or call 01793 527082.