Restaurant 'devastated' after fire destroys building

The owners of a family-run Stourport-on-Severn restaurant have spoken of their devastation after it was destroyed by fire.

Earlier this month, a blaze ripped through The Shed Food & Drink, which is based off Crossway Green.

Since then, the owners have been trading from a food van and gazebo in the car park, while they try and sort it out with their insurers to get the restaurant repaired.

Paul Rabin, the co-owner said: "When the fire started, we'd never seen anything like it - it sounded like a 747 taking off, the flames ripped through the restaurant like it was nothing."

Mr Rabin, who runs the business with his partner Emily Hartley, said the couple were both in bed asleep when the fire started.

"My son had a phone call from my neighbour's son - he could see the flames coming from the roof of the restaurant" he said.

"We'd not long gone to bed, but I jumped out and we got over there.

"Within minutes the fire brigade were here, but the smoke and heat damage was unbelievable, it even melted the fridges in the kitchen."

Miss Hartley said: "We were distraught and horrified that everything we'd worked for had gone up in flames - we'd lost everything in a matter of three or four hours."

Since the fire one customer has started an online fundraiser, to try and help them while they negotiate with their insurers.

Others have been making a special visit to buy food from the truck, or drop off flowers to pass on their best wishes.

"We're lucky that we've got the food truck so we can earn something, even if it's only a little bit," said Mr Rabin.

"People have been brilliant. We've had so many offers of help - people have stopped us in the street.

"We didn't even know the online fundraiser was set up until someone told us about it. We just can't thank people enough."

Customer Christine Cook said: "The devastation caused by the fire was terrible, I feel for them - but I've noticed a lot of regulars are still supporting the place."

Ben Caddick, another regular, added: "There's a lot of people who use this place - I'll still be coming down, I don't know what I would do without Emily and Paul."

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