Following an arson attack in the early hours of Monday 25 January 2016, staff at Woodies Cafe on Langworthy Road, Salford, have been inundated with support and offers of help from the local community.
Owner Barbara Gerrard said, “I want the place back to how it was for the community and the girls who work here. They’ve shown me so much support and I want to give it back to them.”
“Myself and the staff have been overwhelmed by the response from the local community.”
The good news is the building is structually safe following the fire, but Barbara has been forced to throw a lot of kitchen equipment and other valuables out due to damage.
The rest of the merchandise which is salvageable has to be put into storage, which is going to be an additional expense for the already under pressure owner.
Everything that was damaged has to be disposed of
The building is owned by Salford City Council and they are assisting with the repairs and refit.
Andy Hamer of Urban Vision told SalfordOnline.com, “As Barbara and Woodies is one of Salford City Council’s business tenants, our aim is to get the business back up and ‘on it’s feet’ as soon as possible.”
“What happened there is such a shame, everybody there are such hard working people and we will offer as much help as possible in-keeping with the terms of the lease.”
“An insurance claim has been made.”
Read: Staff left devastated after arson attack on Woodies Cafe in Langworthy
The council are due to move into the gutted cafe on Monday 22 February 2016 and estimate the repairs will be completed within four weeks of then.
As the cost of the damage is still being assessed nobody knows as of yet how much it will cost to restore it to it’s once former glory.
Woodies was established in 2014 quickly becoming popular with commuters to Manchester, local residents, schoolchildren, and mothers on school runs.
It is named after Barbara’s family name ‘Woodward’.
Her grandparents had 11 children so the family name will continue for many years to come.
As this article is published nobody has been arrested for the arson attack, Barbara believes this is due to lack of CCTV in the area.
The car-park at the rear of the premises is hidden from the road so local youths congregate there at night drinking and taking drugs causing business owners to fear for their safety.
Reports suggest that when Hazel Blears MP had an office a few doors down a CCTV camera was installed and operational.
Since she has changed offices the camera has vanished and locals are trying to figure out why.
Both Greater Manchester Police and Salford City Council have had requests made by local businesses including Barbara’s to install a camera on the road somewhere, for the purpose of crime prevention and public safety but it would appear these requests have been ignored by the authorities.
Barbara said, “There are hundreds of good people in Salford, the good outweigh the bad in fact. But these things are needed so that those few who do commit crime can be bought to justice.”
Barbara is still urging anybody with any information about the incident to contact police.
“Please if anybody know’s anything don’t let them get away with it, contact the police.”
“I would like to thank all the well-wishers for their continued support, we have had offers of decorators, storage space and general clean up and you have no idea how much this has helped.”
“It makes me even more determined to get this place back up and running.”
A community clear up event is taking place on Saturday 13 February to help clear out the cafe and make a start on possible repairs. If you would like to go and lend a hand it will start around 9am or there after.
Anybody with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
All images: R Siddall Photography
