Newark business Arcade Framing Gallery rebuilding three months after fire and flood forced closure
Three months after a fire and a flood forced them to close their doors, a Newark business is preparing for a refurbishment.
In August, the Arcade Framing Gallery in Newark town centre's Victorian arcade was devastated after a faulty air conditioning unit caught fire on the roof of the building.
After being extinguished by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, the situation worsened for the business as a thunderstorm later that day led to heavy rain pouring into the shop through a hole in the roof left by the fire, causing a flood.
The owners were able take display works and merchandise down from walls and put out containers to catch the water, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to prevent extensive damage.
Water also seeped into the machine equipment used to cut the wood for picture frames, meaning the business could no longer take new orders and was forced to close with no idea whether or not they would be able to open up again.
Whilst a temporary fix to the roof was done two days later, the full building work is due to start this month.
Starting with a permanent fix to the roof and followed by stripping out the old interior and completely refreshing the shop with a new ceiling, carpets, painted walls, storage area, counter space, lighting and electrics throughout.
Owner of Arcade Framing Gallery, Richard Pearson explained what it had been like. He said: "We haven't been able to take any new orders because our equipment needs to be looked at by a specialist.
"But very kindly David, from Hills (on Barnby Gate, Newark) has helped us to finish off our existing work because we had about 40 pieces to get through when the fire happened.
"Our customers have also been really good. They've been so understanding and supportive and they're very loyal, some of them have been coming to us for years and a lot of them have become friends.
"It has been hard. We spent a while just trying to work out what we needed to do and have been working pretty much every day since it happened to clear up."
Business manager and Richard's father, Barry Pearson, said: "In seven years we have grown by about 70%. What we are trying to work out now, is how long it will take to rebuild and gain all of those customers again.
"Based on figures from previous years, from August — when the shop was damaged — to Christmas, we are looking at potential losses of £40,000 to £50,000 and that really depends on inflation."
Barry estimates that the full roof fix will take roughly a week to waterproof the building, at which point the rest of the building works can take place.
"We're hoping that all the refurbishments will be finished by December, but realistically with lead times for completing orders we are looking at January before we can start trading again." Said Richard
"In a way it is quite exciting. We are going on for seven years now and in all that time I've never had orders drop down to zero, so it feels like a fresh start."
The Victorian arcade itself is also undergoing restoration, with works to repair or replace aspects of the 150-year-old listed building are being systematically worked through to prevent a repeat of what happened to the gallery.
The former artist in residence, Tony Goulding, had to move out of the space to protect his paintings for fear of a repeat incident. Although he hopes to return again in the new year once the shop has re-opened.
Tony said: "I have my home studio but I liked the interaction I had in the gallery, so I look forward to being back."
