All but one of the businesses displaced by the Market Hill/Friars Street blaze have found new premises and now the community is being urged to shop locally and support their stoic town traders.
Friars Street, which remained closed for more than two months, has reopened and this Saturday one of the stores left completely gutted by the fire rose from the ashes and reopened with a fanfare in a new home directly opposite its former spot.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge attended the Javelin Men’s clothing store and coffee shop’s opening, which coincided with Small Business Saturday.
“I was really excited to see the opening of the new Javelin shop directly opposite where it’s other premises, which was caught literally right in the middle of the fire,” he said. “It symbolises how Sudbury is coming back from what was a terrible blow.
“Saturday was also small business Saturday, a real opportunity to shout about small local businesses, regardless of the fire we have some brilliant independent businesses in Sudbury.”
He praised the town’s “fantastic community spirit” after the fire, pointing to the fundraising and donations for those affected.
“Supporting the community also means supporting local shops,” added the Conservative MP. “You can talk about business rates and the like, but at the end of the day, shops rely on people walking through their doors.
“I managed last year to do all of my Christmas shopping locally, and yes there are certain things you can’t buy, but if everyone tried to shop locally we could attract even more great businesses to the town.”
The fire, which destroyed many flats and businesses in three attached historic buildings, started on the evening of September 6.
Javelin Clothing was originally situated in the old Anchor pub, which has been severely damaged but is just about still standing. The company still owned the premises opposite which they have now moved into.
Mr Cartlidge added: “Friars Street has reopened, Javelin is back up and running, the area is really bouncing back and people need to come and support the town this Christmas.”
The town still bares the scars of the fire, with a gaping hole where there once stood a row of historic buildings serving as a glaring reminder. The only shop which has not been found a new or temporary location is the Oxfam charity shop.
Sudbury South councillor and deputy leader of Babergh District Council said: “It was a disaster, but out of that negative has come a positive.
“The community rallied together to support each other. We have recovered quickly, thanks to the community spirit. We have a wonderful range of niche businesses here, it a great place to shop.”
After reminding people of Sudbury’s many free car parks, he issued this final message to those in the area: “The road is open, the shops are here, it is all good in time for Christmas – so come down and shop in Sudbury.”
- Published in the EADT.