Designer’s ‘worst nightmare’ becomes reality as fire rips through workshop
DEVASTATION struck as a business owner who built her company over four years watched it burn down in front of her as a fire ripped through her studio.
Ellie Mortimer-gill, of East Leake, set up her design business, Cousins Collective, in 2016.
The 30-year-old takes inspiration from tattoos to create accessories such as pins and badges as well as embroidered clothing.
In January last year, she was contacted by a costume designer for Warner Bros Pictures for a costume worn by actress Margot Robbie in Hollywood film Birds of Prey.
Ellie’s worst nightmare became a reality on Tuesday night as she received a call saying her Keyworth-based workshop was on fire.
Ellie said an electrical fault from an extension lead destroyed four years of hard work in just a couple of hours - leaving her thousands of pounds out of pocket.
She said: “My beautiful studio, three embroidery machines, sewing machine, printers and computers were all in the fire.
“One of the neighbours called me at around 7.30pm and said ‘I think your studio is on fire’.
“We had to drive there and I was just holding on to some hope that it was not a fire but maybe some fireworks or a bonfire going off somewhere.
“But we got there and saw four fire engines. My heart sank. It is literally my worst nightmare.
“I’ve always thought about it happening.”
From starting out making enamel pins and fabric badges in her spare bedroom, the artist gradually grew her online business, moving to her own studio in Keyworth in May last year.
But the workshop has now been destroyed meaning Ellie will have to relocate her business to a new studio.
“I have no contents insurance, as this was always something on my endless ‘to do list’,” she added. “It was always at the back of my mind. I wish I had taken it out now.”
Some of her stock was saved from the fire in another room but now smells of smoke.
Ellie is now fundraising so she can buy herself a second-hand embroidery machine to start filling the backlog of orders she has built up in the run up to Christmas and try to rebuild the business.
The machines cost around £4,000 second-hand and she is also raising money for new stock such as different threads to work with.
She has moved whatever of her business survived to her parents’ garage for now.
Donations of more than £2,400 have already pledged to her page in just 12 hours.
“People have been so generous. I’m really grateful to anyone showing the support for me. It means so much.”
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager, Phil Revill, said: “This incident shows you that electrical fires do occur and we want to prevent them happening, so please follow our electrical safety messages.
“Do not overload your sockets, as they can overheat and cause fires, and please check all leads are undamaged before use.
“We are also a society of portable appliance users that require us to charge the batteries. You should check the condition of both battery and chargers, and monitor them for signs of damage and excessive heating during their operation.
“If you are a business and your premises are closed due to lockdown, ensure all electrical items are switched off and unplugged before leaving.
“Our hearts go out to the business affected from this incident.”
You can donate to Ellie’s Go Fund Me page to help her rebuild her business at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-cousins-collective-startagain