Roof collapse ‘a disaster’ for shop
A man whose shop was closed for 12 days after a shopping centre’s roof collapsed has spoken of the ‘disastrous’ consequences the incident has had on his business. Nick Karavanas, who co-owns vintage clothing shop Trash, was not working when part of a stone parapet at the Corridor came crashing down after snow settled on the roof on February 1. Despite some businesses in the centre, off High Street, reopening several days later, the 33-year-old said he has endured a much more difficult time. When he returned nearly a week later, he found his shop floor was flooded as the melted snow had clogged the roof gully, causing it to leak. This led to £3,000 worth of damage, including ruined clothes and repairs needing to be done on the shop. “When we came back my shop was flooded. It has been a nightmare,” he said. “We were closed when the snow came. I only found out about the Corridor closing through my mother who heard it in the local news. “We only opened again on Wednesday (February 13). It took nearly a week to re-open due to the flooding problems. “There must have been an inch of standing water. We had to rip up the upstairs floorboards - it has been a huge pain. “It has been really terrible for me and my partner, who co-owns the shop. We rely on Saturday trade so much and unfortunately we have been closed for two Saturday’s in a row. “That has really hurt us this February. Straight after payday, it has been a bit of a disaster”