Webb’s rebuilding starts a year after devastating fire

Work has begun on restoring the Webb’s of Tenterden shop in the High Street a year after a devastating fire ripped through the building.

Builders moved in last week and the target is to reopen in August.

The Grade II listed building, which housed the family-run kitchen and cookware shop, was virtually destroyed in the fire, which caused an estimated £2.2 million of damage a year ago yesterday (Wednesday).

Flames spread through the roof to neighbouring Waterstone’s and Cafe Rouge. At its height, the blaze was tackled by more than 60 firefighters.

One of the directors, Graham Webb, said: “Now we are planning for the future, it helps get over the fire.

“Where we had sleepless nights over the fire, now we have sleepless nights over the shop colour scheme.

“We have had a lot of hoops to jump through with the interest from English Heritage.”

Carol Webb, who ran the kitchen and cookware shop, said they were determined to get the restoration right for Tenterden.

“It is exciting but it is frightening as well, with the thought of getting it right,” she said.

“We want the work to be an asset for the town.

“When it is finished, we will have a bigger retail space, better staircase between floors and better facilities for mothers with pushchairs and the disabled.

“We are hoping to put in a lift – we are really starting with a blank canvas.”

Project manager John Whitlock said prior to the builders starting, the discovery of asbestos had put everything back two months while that was dealt with.

A tin roof protects most of the site but it is open to the elements at the sides. It is hoped to get a proper roof on by the end of the year and remove the scaffolding soon after.

Carrying out the work is local firm Tenterden Building & Restoration (TB&R).

The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental and down to central heating work being done inside the Webb’s building.

Within 10 days of the blaze, Mrs Webb had reopened the kitchen and cookware shop in part of the Webb’s ironmongers three doors down.

Waterstone’s reopened the ground floor just before Christmas and this week reopened the first floor. Cafe Rouge reopened in April.

Carol, Nigel and Graham Webb discuss the renovations with project manager John Whitlock, Martin Pearson, of TB&R, and contract manager Kelvin Tooth after the building was destroyed by fire, above

FM2662156 Owner Dawn Luck