AMID the disruption caused by a collapsed chimney incident, a long-established, displaced Northumberland business has announced its permanent relocation.
In July last year, three businesses on Hexham's Hallstile Bank were forced into closure after a portion of the town's Ex-Servicemen's Club collapsed onto adjacent neighbours, Project Escape and Bob's Barbers.
Hexham Ex-Servicemen's Club and Project Escape remained closed, however, within weeks of the collapse, Bob's Barbers had already found a temporary home on St Mary's Chare; a location that the founder and owner of the business, Jill Armstrong, says will now be a permanent fixture.
"I was in the shop with customers when the chimney collapsed. We heard a rumble, then an almighty bang, then somebody opened the door and said you should leave. I thought, I'm not going to get back in there anytime soon," Jill said.
"We set up the new shop, nearly two weeks and six days after the chimney collapse. Both the landlords of the two different buildings have been excellent.
"Initially, I thought we would be here for six months, but that rebuild is going to take a while, and this is a nice shop and nice space - we're all happy."
Since the incident, Hallstile Bank has been closed to vehicles indefinitely.
Shortly after the chimney collapsed, scaffolding was erected around the affected businesses in preparation for building work that has yet to come.
In August, Northumberland County Council (NCC) said there was "no confirmed timescale" for when Hallstile Bank would reopen to vehicles, with rebuilding work still tied up with insurers.
According to Rightmove, the Ex-Servicemen’s Club has since been sold.
Following the incident, businesses remaining on the bank have since complained of a drop-off in customer footfall, a concern echoed by Jill.
"I'm over here, I'm away from it all, but for the businesses left there, it massively affects them that the road's still closed. It's been six months now; they've got to find it hard," she added.
"Market Street's horrendous now that Hallstile Bank is closed, the traffic's worse because of it. My landlord and the builders told me that the insurers can take a while, that's why I knew we had to get out of there."
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On the move to the new premises, Jill has said that the community, staff and fellow traders have been "really supportive". Customers "really like" the new shop, and although she misses her old view, Jill feels lucky that "miraculously" nobody was injured.
She said: "Everybody was really kind - people offered a space and worked really quickly to get things turned around.
"I didn't really have time to stop and think about it; you have to push forward. I'm so grateful to everyone, and it makes you think what a lovely place Hexham is."
Mayor Derek Kennedy said, "My son and I have been regular customers at Bob's Barbers for many years, and it was an awful shock when the chimney fell.
"Jill Armstrong and the team have been so resilient and set up in a new premise to continue their work, and we support our local traders in continuing their service to Hexham."
As Bob's, named after Jill's dad, approaches its 30th anniversary in March, the owner and her staff - many of whom have given years of service to the business - say they are grateful to the community and want to thank customers for "staying loyal".
In December, residents were urged to continue supporting independent businesses that call Hallstile Bank home, with the county council maintaining pedestrian access from the market place.
The bank is home to fashion store Sorella; clothing alteration service Sew n’ Sew; hair salons Le Petit Salon and Mantra; charity the Minerva Centra; and tattoo artist Northside Tattooz.
A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “Many wonderful independent businesses on Hallstile Bank are very much open and need your support. Every purchase you make locally makes a real difference.
“Whilst Hallstile Bank is closed to vehicles on safety grounds due to damage to a private building on the street, pedestrian access remains open with parking available nearby.”
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