A restaurant closed since May after a car crashed into its shopfront is set to reopen in the new year, according to an advertisement.

 

Police confirmed at the time that a “car had collided with a shopfront” in the early hours of May 16. A man was arrested in connection with the incident, and Sri Lankan restaurant Ceylon Junction, which first opened at the end of July 2022, has been closed ever since.

It was boarded up after the incident, although latterly the shop window has been blanked out with paper suggesting renovation work has been underway.

Now a poster in the window of the restaurant, and seen elsewhere locally, says it will be reopening for lunch and dinner buffet on January 1.

Next door business Diamond Pizza & Kebab was also boarded up after the incident, and remains largely so, although it has managed to continue trading, with the door and a hatch still apparently operational.

Businesses often face considerable difficulty recovering after unexpected crises, as borne out by COVID lockdowns and flooding incidents, with a high proportion often failing to reopen at all.

Still shut: Jupider on St Catherine's Road

The nearby Jupider convenience store, on the corner of Bond and St Catherine's roads, suffered damage in a suspected 'ram raid' almost a year ago. It’s still boarded up, with the future of the site unclear.

Bitterne Park councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews (Lab) said: "I’m delighted to see it re-open at last. Ceylon Junction offers another type of cuisine to the interesting mix we have in Bitterne Park Triangle. The restaurant is very close to my home and I’m looking forward to enjoying a meal there next week!"

Ceylon Junction was approached for comment.

Updated 4/1/25 with councillor comment