Cafe boss: I felt like crying after fire

VOWS NOT TO BE BEATEN AFTER INTERIOR GUTTED

THE owner of a cafe that was “gutted” inside by a fire has told how he “felt like crying” when it went up in flames.

Nick Shalts, owner of The Laughing Duck Canalside Cafe at Fradley Junction, was preparing to get the tables back out and looking forward to welcoming back customers on July 4 after lockdown, but was stopped in his tracks when the fire broke out three days earlier.

He had closed at the beginning of lockdown, but has been operating a takeaway service since May 22, which was proving popular.

But disaster struck when the fire broke out. It was spotted by a man from the nearby Canal and River Trust who noticed the smoke and heat coming from the building and he rang 999.

Mr Shalts said: “It’s gutted inside but structurally it’s okay.

“I felt like crying when I found out. I was gobsmacked. I was very distraught after everything as I was looking forward to putting out the tables and chairs and to get back to some sort of normal.

“I was devastated. We opened on May 22 as a takeaway so we’d been doing that for quite a few weeks and it was going very well.”

The cafe is a popular venue with bikers, cyclists and walkers as they take a trip along the nearby Trent and Mersey Canal and has been owned by Mr Shalts for the last 18 months.

After the fire, he vowed not to be beaten and now has a 20ft catering trailer outside the cafe up and running, offering everything that was on the menu before - including baguettes, toasties and baked potatoes.

The 49-year-old said: “I’m pleased I’ve managed to do what we’ve done and I’ve seen a lot of support from the local community. I could’ve just walked away and waiting for the insurance but we’re keeping it for the community.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everybody.

“I’ve had some fantastic comments and support from people.

Some of the people I didn’t know and they’ve been so kind. I was touched by that. I’ve been overwhelmed with some of the comments and it’s gave me the drive to continue.

“I look forward to seeing everyone again.”

Main image, the 20ft catering trailer that Nick Shalts, owner of The Laughing Duck Canalside Cafe, had installed after the blaze earlier this month. Left, the aftermath of the incident Mr Shalts hopes that the cafe will be back open again within the next three months, but in the meantime, customers can make the most of the trailer to enjoy a treat.

The fire was caused by a faulty fridge freezer inside the cafe.