WAITERS raised a glass to the reopening of an iconic restaurant following its £500,000 restoration.

Gee’s restaurant, in Banbury Road, opened to customers on Monday after work to its Grade II listed-conservatory was completed.

The building – once home to one of the country’s oldest garden centres – dates from 1897.

Oxford restaurateur and hotelier Jeremy Mogford, owner of Gee’s, said: “There has been a complete restoration of the glass house including replacing the uprights, the leading and the ironwork – all of the listed features have now been restored.

“The roof area has also been restored and has been opened up in the bar area.”

He added: “The restoration of the glass house and creation of a new interior and new menu has been some time in the planning but from the feedback that we received yesterday it has been worth the effort.”

A new kitchen incorporates a wood-fired oven and a charcoal grill.

The building has been home to Gee’s restaurant for the last 30 years.