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Fire knocks out two firms

Eve Dugdale
12/ 3/2008

A TAXI firm has been devastated by fire – and the owner has no insurance.

Hardcastles toy shop which has been in Stalybridge for 70 years was also destroyed in the blaze, which took place between 1am and 1.25am on Friday.

Nevertheless, Jefferson John, owner of Bridge Cars, and Hardcastles owner Lee Ridehalgh are determined to continue.

"I’ve lost absolutely everything – all the computer systems, sat navs, car keys," said Mr John.

"It’s cost us £5,000 just to move the phones to operate here, but we’re still open, we’re still taking calls and it’s business as usual. We had public liability insurance but we didn’t have contents insurance."

It’s been a rocky ride for Mr John, 36, who’s been involved in taxis for 16 years. Since setting up on Corporation Street he’s had his radio wires cut and windows smashed but says it’s made him more determined to carry on. He’s now operating his business from around the corner on Melbourne Street.

Lee Ridehalgh, 27, who bought Stalybridge’s most famous toyshop just under a year ago says his stock is totally destroyed and the shop will have to be completely gutted.

The shop also acts as a base for gaming groups and Mr Ridehalgh says local children are ‘devastated’.

"Kids are in here all the time playing, painting, sticking. They’re in here 9 to 5 on a Saturday and every day of the school holiday. The shop’s going to have to be ripped out but once the insurance is sorted we hope to reopen very soon."

The Tameside Independent Counselling and Advice Service (TICAS) shop had to throw away about £100 worth of goods damaged by smoke.

TICAS chairman Eileen Gilroy said: "People have been put off coming in the shop because of the smell from the fire."

The fire service have not determined a cause for the blaze but say they are treating it as suspicious.

Detective Constable Katie Murray, of Ashton CID, said: "Fortunately nobody was injured, but this could have been much worse.

"I urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact us on 0161 856 9252 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."