A bookies has reopened after a fire spread through the premises attached to Hardwick Social Club in Stockton.
Firefighters were called to Ladbrokes bookmaker on Harrowgate Lane in the early hours of February 24.
As reported, club steward Tony Stephenson, who lives at the rear of the social club, was woken up by the sound of fire alarms at 1.30am.
It is believed the fire was initially started in the doorway of the bookies before spreading to the club.
Ladbrokes betting shop reopens after fire damage, at Hardwick Social Club, Stockton
Builders and fitters worked until the early hours of Good Friday to ensure the betting shop was ready to open for the Bank Holiday weekend.
It has taken five weeks to get the shop ready to reopen.
Area manager Chris Wrightson said: “It’s had a full refit.
“It was looking a bit tired before so it’s looking really good. It’s got new toilets, new flooring, TVs, everything.
“Someone set fire to the front of the shop and it caused a lot of damage.
Ladbrokes betting shop reopens after fire damage, at Hardwick Social Club, Stockton
“On a brighter note it’s a lovely new shop. It’s made the shop seem twice as big as we’ve moved the counter and opened it up a bit.
“The feedback from the customers so far has been great.
“The club has been really suffering while it’s been closed as they depend on each other and we were closed over Cheltenham - which is our biggest week for horse racing - but we’re open in time for the Bank Holiday and the Boro game and the Grand National next Saturday.”
Manager Becky Woodhead, who looks after the Hardwick shop as well as two in Billingham and one in Norton, said: “There are four staff here and they transferred to the other branches while we were closed.”
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