The seaside town of Sheringham could be back in business with a closed footpath and shops set to reopen tomorrow morning.
Traders have been affected by the disruption caused by the appearance of a cavernous sinkhole in the High Street a month ago.
But Anglian Water said today that a currently closed footpath and two shops in the street are set to be reopened.
Crofters restaurant and Straits Fish and Chips have been closed for a month.
Terry Butler, owner of Crofters, welcomed the news, and said: "There will be a scaffolding tunnel in front of the restaurant and Straits, so there will be limited access, but we will have footfall.
"We've got bookings for tomorrow and are taking people in. We needed it as we were getting close to having to close for good.
"Touch wood, we will be open for coffee at 6.45am tomorrow."
An Anglian Water spokesman said: "Following continued excavation on the sinkhole in Sheringham High Street our team have made the surrounding area secure which means that we will be able to open the currently closed footpath and shops in the High Street from June 26.
"The excavation of the sinkhole will continue, and the team are expecting to reach the damaged pipe by Thursday. Once the pipe has been exposed an assessment will take place of the damage caused and have a better estimate on the timescales for the repair will be made."
A spokesman for Sheringham Town Council said: "Well, what a difference a day makes! Hopefully the rain will not delay the opening of the western side of the pathway tomorrow. This will then allow for the eagerly awaited opening of Crofters and Straits also on Wednesday."
A spokesman for Sheringham Chamber of Trade and Commerce said: "The sooner we can get both sides of the road open the better. One of the things that tends to get forgotten is that locals have been as inconvenienced by this, as visitors."
The North Norfolk News and Eastern Daily Press have launched a campaign to promote Sheringham and highlight what makes it so special.
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