Bury St Edmunds: Lingerie store reopens seven weeks after Cupola House blaze
August 4, 2012 by admin
Filed under Latest Lingerie News
Teresa Martin (right) and Michelle Martin are pictured at Bella Lingerie in Bury which is finally set to re-open after the fire at Cupola House in the town which left their shop smoke logged.
By Matt Gaw
Friday, August 3, 2012
6:38 PM
A SHOP affected by the devastating Cupola House fire will reopen today, as discussions continue into the future of the historic building.
Teresa Martin, and her daughter Michelle, will open the doors of newly refitted and restocked Bella Lingerie in the Traverse, Bury St Edmunds, seven weeks after the fire in the burning home of Strada restaurant took hold.
Ms Martin said that walls were left blackened and nearly £10,000 of lingerie was lost as clouds of smoke poured through their shop’s sash windows.
Speaking about some of the most “stressful” weeks in her life, she added: “We were notified on the Saturday night and on Sunday when we came into Bury and saw all the people we knew it was serious.
“But on Monday it really hit us. The firemen took us in and when we saw inside we were very upset.” The pair, who have run the shop for almost three years, spent the last two months working to redecorate, refit and order more stock.
Ms Martin said that although some bridalwear was yet to be replaced, most items will be available in the newly-opened store.
“It feels like a new start, the shop looks lovely and is ready to go. We have missed seeing all our regular customers and the Traverse is such a lovely place to be.”
She added: “When something like this happens, you find out how strong and good people are. One of the things that has come out of this is the strengthening of relationships with other independent stores.
“Bury Bridal Rooms straight away contacted us after the fire, and all our stock was delivered there. They were absolutely brilliant; we couldn’t have done this without them.”
Ms Martin also thanked Traverse-based Paul Stephens and NFU Insurance.
Sahara and Jessops remain closed while work on Grade 1 Listed Cupola House continues.
A spokeswoman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council said discussions between the project team and the building’s owners are due to take place early this month.
She added it is not yet known if the building will be restored as it was or with a more modern interpretation.
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