Supermarket back in business

A SUPERMARKET in Heathfield reopened this week just over three months after being gutted in an arson attack.

Budgens, on Station Road, was open and ready for business from 9am yesterday (Thursday). Sub Officer John Field, of Heathfield Fire Station, was guest of honour and cut the ribbon to officially reopen the store.

The supermarket has been rebuilt, refitted and restocked in an effort to provide customers with the same level of service as before the attack, which happened on August Bank Holiday this year. As part of the refurbishment, the post office has been relocated to create more space and make it more convenient for shoppers to move through the store. New, longer checkouts have also been installed, making it much easier for customers doing a full trolley shop.

Store manager Tracy Dunkerly presented SO Field with a donation of 250 to the Fire Services Benevolent Fund. She said: 'We are really pleased to be reopening. After the arson attack we are even more determined to give the best service to our customers and have taken the opportunity to make major improvements in the store. The local fire service were brilliant and I m delighted to make this contribution on behalf of of Budgens to their benevolent fund.

SO Field added: 'Obviously, arson is a crime and one that is taken very seriously by the police. After seeing the damage caused by this fire I m very proud to be asked to reopen the store and I would also like to thank Budgens for their kind donation to the benevolent fund.

Late opening

The first 50 customers through the door at the reopening received a free bottle of wine. The store will be open until 9pm in the days running up to Christmas.

Police are no nearer solving the crime despite carrying out a widescale appeal for witnesses at the time of the attack. A 15-year-old girl was arrested in connection with the arson, which caused around 750,000 worth of damage to the store, but was later released without charge. A police spokesman admitted: 'Investigations are exhausted. Despite continuous appeals we have received very little in terms of individual evidence. There was also very little in terms of forensic evidence. The case has been filed.

The fire started when dustbins to the rear of the building were deliberately set alight. Around 40 firefighters fought for two hours to bring the blaze under control.