Latest news with #PeterThemans
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Much Wenlock farm shop owners determined to rebuild after fire
The owners of a farm shop that was "completely destroyed" in a fire have said they are determined to rebuild their business "bigger and stronger" than before. Peter and Alison Themans have owned Wenlock Edge Farm, near Much Wenlock, for two decades, however on Monday the couple woke up to find their farm shop on fire. The blaze was caused by an electrical fault and damaged 95% of the building, emergency services said. Despite the their heartbreak the pair are determined to stay positive, with Mr Themans saying the business was "definitely going to come back". "There's no point being negative, it doesn't get you anywhere," he said."We've had a long, long discussion with our family and our staff and I think everybody wants to come back and grow again."He hoped the rebuild would be covered by their insurance, however he said he was very aware of inflation and rising building costs. Mr Themans added that the business was a "big employer" in the small hamlet and everybody who worked there had been "hit-hard"."I think the staff value the fact that their work is on the doorstep and they don't have to travel miles to work," he said."They seem very invested in it [the business]." He said the support the team had received from the local community had been "fantastic"."I just didn't know so many people would be upset by it," Mr Themans added that he had been humbled by the number of people who had reached out and offered their support. "We're going to do our best to be back as soon as possible," he said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Much Wenlock farm shop owners 'heartbroken' after fire
"How your day can change in an hour, it's unbelievable."On Monday morning, everything changed for Peter and Alison Themans when they woke up to find their Shropshire farm shop on blaze, which was caused by an electrical fault, "completely destroyed" Wenlock Edge Farm in Much Wenlock, emergency services said."Bizarrely you think at the start 'I can put it out', but it was roaring and you couldn't get near it, it was so intense," Mr Themans said. The couple said that their neighbours had been knocking on their door to warn them about the fire in the early hours of the said they were "heartbroken" by the fire which had destroyed all the work they had put into the farm over the last two decades."It's not something you expect in the middle of the night, but these things happen. We're very shocked and upset," Ms Themans said. Mr and Mrs Themans said that the fire had been moving through the building at "such a pace" but thanked Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for responding so couple plan to rebuild the farm shop and start all over again after speaking to their insurers. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said that crews managed to isolate electrics during the fire and dampened down the area to ensure it was safe. Crews from Shrewsbury, Tweedale, Much Wenlock, Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Bridgnorth tackled the fire. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
