Grocers an historic gem again
An historic Wolverhampton greengrocers which boasted the oldest shop front in the city has reopened for business, six months after being devastated by fire.
Sandy's Fruit & Veg, which has been trading since 1914, was gutted in the suspected arson attack last year, which destroyed many of its original features. The shop had been designated one of the city's finest historic treasures before the blaze.
But this week fruit and vegetables were back outside the Dudley Road shop after a mammoth rescue mission to restore it. All Saints and Blakenhall Community Development (ABCD) donated a £11,500 heritage grant and the city council's conservation officers worked around the clock to resurrect it.
The owners, husband and wife team Sandy and Amarjit Dehal, were left shattered after the fire but today declared their prayers had finally been answered.
Sandy beamed: "We are so pleased to be back. It has taken a long time because a lot of work needed to be done and we needed to get it done properly. People have been keen to come inside and have a look around. The restorers have really done a wonderful job.
The fruit and veg shop has maintained its old-fashioned charm. Work has included replacing curved glass windows, extensive tiling on the shop frontage and in the entrance porch, a new door, restored canvas sun blinds and a hand-painted fascia sign.
Councillor Jennifer Cromie, Wolverhampton's champion for historic buildings, said: "This greengrocers is a real gem positioned on a main gateway into the city. I am delighted that our conservation team have been able to lend their expertise to this project and get this historic shop back to its former glory."
