Barber strikes gold after fire destroys shop

AFort William barber who lost his business in a fire last year has managed to salvage and restore the beloved gold records he thought had been destroyed.

John Wilson watched helplessly as his shop in Station Square went up in flames last December.

The Pier Head Chip shop and Aylz Nailz and Beauty were also substantially damaged.

Mr Wilson, a former DJ, had seven gold records adorning the walls of his barber shop which he feared had been destroyed.

However, thanks to the help of the local police and fire service, he has managed to get them back and has restored them almost back to their best.

He said: “It just shows you how great Fort William is that I got my discs back. This would never have happened if I still lived in Glasgow.

“First I got all my tools back and now the discs. I thought they would have been burned to the ground but I asked a policeman, Ian Young, if they were fine and if I could get them back?

“He gave me six of the seven and I asked about the other one, one of my favourites – Don McLean, American Pie, which is signed.

“He went back in and got me it, despite the place falling down, and climbed over some rubble to get it for me.

“I’m over the moon that I’ve got them all back.”

Mr Wilson restored the records by tearing them apart, cleaning the inside, ironing them, and then reframing them.

They are now “85-90%” back to normal.

Unfortunately, he did lose one treasured possession in the fire – a prize radio he won from the famous Popmaster radio music quiz.

He said: “It was melted to a frazzle, I had it on show after winning it about 20 years ago but never got it back.

“I was going to message Ken Bruce and ask to go back on the show to win it back.

“Otherwise, I lost about £4,000 in stock, because I bulk-buy stuff, along with my chairs.

“But I think I’ve done really well to get my topend tools back, along with my discs which is amazing.

“It would not have happened without the help of the police and fire, so thanks to them and Ian Young.”

The building in Station Square is likely to be pulled down due to the fire damage.

WRECKAGE: John Wilson outside the remains of his barber’s shop devastated by fire.

The restored rare gold discs will go on show again.