OWNERS of a Chester bakers that was closed for more than five weeks due to structural damage, are celebrating re-opening the business.
Sayers the Bakers, on Bridge Street in Chester, was shut by council engineers after fears that the Grade II listed building that it occupied could collapse. Fears were raised in the busy city centre street after a crack appeared in the facade of the 19th century building and engineers later discovered that a beam supporting a 20-tonne load was completely rotten.
The building, part of Chester’s historic Rows - which is also home to Panasonic, was evacuated along with eight surrounding businesses and a part of the street, near to The Cross at the junction of Watergate Street, was closed to traffic and pedestrians.
Emergency works to secure the building were quickly put into action by Grosvenor Estates, which own the building, and Cheshire West and Cheshire Council engineers.
Despite several businesses closing for a little more than a week, both Sayers, which occupies the ground floor of the building and Panasonic, which is situated at row level, have been closed since the scare.
The bakers, which suffered five weeks of lost trade, have re-opened their doors to customers today.
Sayers the Bakers say they are "delighted" to be able to re-open, just in time for Easter.
Marie Andrews, area manager, said: "Our customers have all been very understanding and we're looking forward to bringing them our new range of Easter treats such as our ginger chicks, easter dinkies and of course the chocolate cornflake nests for everyone to enjoy.
“In addition to our Easter range we are launching freshly made sandwiches which have been a big hit in our other shops around the North West."