Openingdate delayed

‘We’re pretty upset that this happened to our new shop’

Mohammed Asif, along with his son, Saeed, were due to hold the grand opening of their Spar shop in Whitfield yesterday.

Their store was one of four units built to replace the former Whitfield Labour Club.

However, on Sunday, the owner noticed a burst pipe had led to an electrical fault and flooding throughout the shop floor, leading to the opening ceremony having to be delayed.

Mohammed said: “The situation was totally unforeseen and it’s just one of these things that happen.

“We were pretty upset that it happened, though. Everything was on track and now we have had to delay the opening day.

“In a way it was deflating but everyone is now working very hard to get the store open as soon as possible.

“Basically there was a problem with the piping when the new boiler system was fitted.

“It looks like one of the fittings was loose, which resulted in water getting into some of the electrical fittings.

“This made the shop unsafe to open to employers and the public, so we decided to get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

“The electricians have now finished up their work and the painters and decorators will be going in next to tidy up the place.”

Fortunately for Mohammed and Asif, who will run the shop, none of the stock was damaged.

It’s hoped that the shop will be able to open on Friday.

Brian Gordon, councillor for the North East, said: “It’s unfortunate this has happened.

“The store is very much needed by people in the community.”

THE owners of a new convenience store were left deflated after its official opening day had to be delayed because of a burst pipe and an electrical fault.

Saeed and Mohammed Asif outside the Spar store, which has been hit by flooding.