TWO FIRE-RAVAGED Angus shops have relocated within just nine days, thanks to community spirit.
Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles, who runs the town’s Country Larder and Perfect Laundry, yesterday paid tribute to an army of volunteers who helped get the businesses back up and running.
He and his wife Gwen had initially expected that it would take weeks to resume trading after a ferocious blaze ripped through the adjoined High Street premises at the start of the month.
However, after droves of helpers assisted with the clear-up and relocation operation, both shops yesterday opened up at the former Mel’s Pet Shop.
Mr Bowles, a former Tayside Police officer, said: “It has been brilliant.
“The support has been fantastic from people in the town who have helped us get back up and running in just nine days.
Mr Bowles said the new outlet on the High Street had been vacant prior to being used as a temporary charity shop over the festive period.
He added: “I knew it was just being emptied, so I suppose it worked out well in terms of timing.
“We are running both businesses from the same shop, with the greengrocers alongside the laundry receivers shop.
“There will be no change in the level of service, but the laundry will be taken to Dundee to be done.”
A joint investigation into what caused the massive blaze has now been completed by Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue.
Mr Bowles said evidence pointed towards an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.
Around 30 firefighters and six fire engines, including an aerial pump from Dundee, were called to tackle the flames on Friday January 4. The adjacent former Granite City fish shop was also affected by water and smoke damage and residents were evacuated.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the single-storey shops.
However, at one stage there was significant concern that the blaze was in danger of spreading to an adjoining block of flats. The building was not damaged.
gbletcher@thecourier.co.uk.