Ice hockey pals rally to get trader back in business after blaze
Steven is thrilled by support after firebugs struck
A Paisley shop owner has thanked the ice hockey community for helping his business re- open after arsonists nearly destroyed it.
Steven Gardner had run Cold Blooded Sports in Lawn Street for five years when it went up in smoke in January this year.
It was one of the only shops in the country specialising in supplying and repairing ice hockey kit.
An estimated £45,000 worth of stock was lost as well as things of irreplaceable sentimental value.
But thanks to support from the local amateur ice hockey community, Steven and partner Pamela have opened up new premises just around the corner in Silk Street.
Steven said: “We very nearly didn’t make it. We went through a very difficult time and are still waiting for the loss adjusters to finalise insurance matters.
“We were operating out of temporary premises and only on a very limited basis.
“We’ve received so much support from the local community, in particular those involved in the local amateur ice hockey scene.
“That support helped see us through some very dark times and we’re absolutely delighted to have re-opened in our new premises just round the corner from our former shop.
“We’re not quite up to full running speed just yet, but all of our services are now available again, and we hope to see all of our former customers, and indeed some new ones too, at our new premises.”
Steven, 32, was on the ice with his team Irvine Flyers when he got word of the blaze.
He said at the time the loss of sentimental items was as devastating as the financial cost.
A £15,000 sharpening tool from the Lagoon ice rink where Steven learned his trade went up in smoke as well as signed tops from NHL players.
Steven’s partner Pamela McLean, who works with him in the shop, said the support they’ve had has been amazing.
“Our friends set up a Just Giving page which raised about £2,000 to help us make ends meet,” she said. “The Edinburgh Capitals’ supporters club raffled a jersey and the Paisley Pirates team physically came and helped us.
“We were inundated with offers of support from the recreational hockey scene, from joiners, decorators, electricians who all helped us get set back up.”
Pamela added: “We called ourselves the CBS family because that’s what it felt like. People would come in and want to work for us for free because they care about what we’re doing.
“It’s nice to have the support from the community because it means our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. We do it because we love it and it’s nice to know that when you slog your guts out it’s appreciated.”
The new shop is operating a summer schedule at the moment so is open Wednesday evenings from 5pm till 8pm then Friday and Saturday from 12pm till 5pm but will extend its hours when the ice hockey season starts up again in September.
Steven said: “I can’t thank those folk who have supported us enough, and I can only say we’ll be pulling out all the stops to express that gratitude by giving them the highest possible standard of service and the highest possible quality of merchandise when they come to see us.”