Trade rallied round to get garage open after fire

An electric van caught fire at the garage on the corner of Route Militaire and Ville Baudu which led firefighters to monitor the area for the following 24 hours.

But business owner Craig Wilson was amazed how people came to his aid, offering help and services.

‘After the fire, we were closed. Le Mont Saint Garage very kindly offered a place to put our cars on their site and to give me an office area to operate out of,’ he said.

‘Laser Wash gave us a cleaning bay to use whenever we wanted and DWA gave new carpet tiles for the office.

‘The fire service were absolutely amazing and even after the fire offered their help and support and painted the office.

‘Friends and family were amazing, and Woody and John who work for me. There was so much support that we were able to reopen in about two months.’

The business was open two weeks after the fire for car sales, but the workshop was still seriously damaged and took a further two months to restore.

Mr Wilson thanked his landlord for understanding and the neighbours for being brilliant and offering space for cars

AC Asbestos Removal, RAB Roofing, and electrician Guy Breton ‘dropped everything’ to help out, he said.

‘We wouldn’t have been able to reopen as quickly as we did without them,’ said Mr Wilson.

‘I never expected the help and support we’ve had from everybody. It was amazing and we’re very grateful.’

The team at Le Mont Saint Garage came to the aid of the business after being in a similar situation two decades ago.

‘Sometimes we’ve all got to work together. We have done a lot of work with Craig over the years and when he first started out,’ said joint managing director Peter Beausire.

‘In the Guernsey community if someone needs a hand we’ll put out an olive brand in a time of need.

‘We had a fire here about 20 years ago and we know how it can turn your world upside down.

‘People rallied around us to get back on our feet, so that’s what we did for Craig.’