Owners takes major step as it rises like a phoenix
ASMALL business has risen from the ashes little more than a year after it was struck by a latenight fire.
Grays has reopened in Chaltenham after it was devastated by a fire and forced to close.
The business is owned by Colin and Jo Wordley, who bought it off founder Jeff Gray in 1995 and the couple have vowed to ‘work hard to rebuild the business.’
The shop on Cheltenham’s High Street was relaunched by the town’s MP Alex Chalk with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Wordleys originally bought the business as a shoe repairers and added extra services including dry Cceaning.
But last June, neighbours alerted the couple late one night that the building was on fire.
Jo said: “We stood watching it burn until around midnight. I still remember walking around the building at around 1am with the fire crew, it was just so heartbreaking.
“For days after we were just in a daze, not knowing what to do.”
She went on to stress that ‘each and every fire, police officer on the scene that night were truly amazing.’
Jo said: “We are so appreciate of everything they did for us.”
The business owners explained that after an independent fire investigation, it was found some tea towels that were cleaned that day had been sat in direct sunlight after a very hot day and the oils used it caused them to combust.
A week after the tragedy, they opened a temporary shop with limited services in the premises next door.
They have been there for the last 13 months while work has taken place on the original property.
Jo said: “Although not all completely finished we have been able to get our shop back and work towards regaining some, hopefully all, the trade that we have lost.
“It’s been a very hard 13 months as we both work together here and this is our only income, and we have two children to support too.
“But we have the advantage that we have some amazing family and truly supportive friends.”
“We are feeling positive and a little more settled now.
“This is just the beginning again for us as we now need to work hard to rebuild our business.”