A BUSINESSWOMAN who lost £100,000 worth of stock and her former premises in a fire in Hereford has relocated.

Pen Harrison, of Colly Brook Fine Furnishings, has opened her new showroom and workshop near Eastham, Tenbury Wells.

Formerly located at Holmer Trading Estate in Hereford, the business was hit by a fire in February this year.

Mrs Harrison said: “I was only meant to be there about six months but it turned into a year-and-a-half while I found a new premises.

“We had actually bought this site the week before the fire but because it was a redundant farm building, it needed to be renovated.”

The fire, which was tackled by more than 50 firefighters manning 11 fire engines, destroyed all of Mrs Harrison’s stock, some of which was impossible to value, but she estimates it was worth around £100,000.

But help has been at hand, with a small grant from the Redundant Buildings Scheme financing the renovation of the workshop at the new site.

Since gaining her City and Guilds in Soft Furnishings 15 years ago, Mrs Harrison has also qualified as an adult teacher and regularly runs one and two-day small group courses covering projects such as beginning curtain making, tailored scatter cushions, Roman blinds and loose covers.