Next store is finished early
THE return of Next to Quedgeley is a step nearer after builders finished work at the fire-ravaged site four weeks early.
The 7,500 sq ft store, at the Quedgeley Business Park, was destroyed in a massive blaze last summer which took six hours to put out.
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good news: Terry Cassin, site manager for Britannia Construction, outside the Next store at Quedgeley. Inset: our front Page on February 2.
Next hopes to reopen this August, just a year after the building was practically destroyed.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen as far away as the Forest of Dean and it left the metal structure of the store buckled and in need of replacing.
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Britannia Construction, from Cheltenham, was given the contract to repair the building.
A spokesman for the firm said: "When work began in October it was revealed that the damage to the frame was more significant than anticipated and around 90% had to be replaced.
"Specialist demolition contractors were brought in to remove the damaged material to allow the rebuilding to proceed.
"Despite the complicated nature of the work, Britannia handed over the completed shell ahead of schedule.
"The unit will then be fitted-out by Next prior to reopening for business later this year."
Britannia's contract also included repairing the fire-damaged Brantano shoe store.
But even though the fire damaged the roof and façade, the store was able to continue trading while repairs were completed.
Paul Halfpenny, managing director of Britannia, said: "Rebuilding the store in such a short timescale was only possible thanks to a magnificent team effort by our project team, suppliers and sub-contractors, all of whom worked on the original store. Well done to all."
Next declined to comment on the work at the development but confirmed it is hoping to reopen the store in August.
City councillor Martyn White (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) welcomed the news the store was on target.
He said: "This is fantastic news for Quedgeley, it has been a sad loss for the area after the fire and it is great to see them getting back on their feet.
"With the opening of Gloucester Quays as well, it is just another sign that Gloucester is a city on the up."
Comments
by hopefull, gloucester
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 5:51AM
“Thank god they are reopening! I thought with the arrival of next in the quays, this one would not reopen. Having looked in the clearance one in the quays, and seeing clothes i bought in quedgeley before it burnt down, it is a huge relief we will be getting back a store that stocks this years lines and not last years!”
by RobP, Quedgeley
Tuesday, May 26 2009, 8:42PM
“Oh no... my wife will be spending again soon then!”
by Julie, Gloucester
Tuesday, May 26 2009, 6:43AM
“Let's hope they've got a sprinkler system installed this time! This whole situation must have been a complete nightmare for the staff of Next and Brantano, and they have my full sympathy.”
by Alan, Quedgeley
Monday, May 25 2009, 11:03AM
“At last, some good news for the store. It was a real blow to Quedgeley when the fire struck, we were amazed at how busy the Next store had been when it opened, it was a real boost to all the neighbouring businesses as well.
Then along came the fire and we were back to square one. I just hope Next can make sure it reopens the store as soon as possible so Quedgeley can benefit from the shopping boom the rest of Gloucester is enjoying since the Gloucester Quays opened.”