Lorry crash shop bounces back

Rod McKinnon and Mark Jennings were left counting the cost after a truck ploughed into the front of Perfect Harmony Bedrooms on Shepherd Road, St Annes, on November 1, 2014.

The front of the building was wrecked in the 9am crash, shortly be fore the shop opened for business.

Now, despite long delays in insurance claims, the two owners have pulled together to re-establish the business.

Their premises has a new shop window and the showroom is open for business once more.

Mr Jennings said: “The 2014 incident obviously left complete devastation but we’re are really grateful to have everything back on track.

“We’ve been established for over 20 years and luckily through word of mouth some original and some new customers have come back to the showroom.”

The business re-opened just a month after the crash, but only now can boast properly refurbished premises.

Following the smash, involving a Jewson’s lorry, there was a campaign for extra safety measures near the busy junction and as a result road markings have been changed to highlight the approach.

Paul Dunne, highways manager for Lancashire County Council, said: “Changes have been made to the road markings since this incident. This will help to highlight the approach to the junction for motorists.

“Our highways team have spoken to the police and we have no plans to introduce any traffic calming measures.”

However, despite the improvements Mr Jennings and neighbouring residents claim there are up to two or three near collisions a week and the junction is in need of a ‘Give Way’ sign.

Business at Harmony in the 12 months following the crash involved using a generator to provide electricity and heating and using a rear exit as a front door.

Mr Jennings said: “The showroom itself was all boarded up as we were left with a serious amount of damage.

“The front of the shop was completely demolished and we suffered lack of business for a considerable amount of time.

“However, many long-standing customers kept us going and 14 months on we’ve had a very hectic Christmas period and everything is fully back on track.

“We are relieved more than anything else that we have been able to get back to where we were.

“It was quite an emotionally devastating time.

“It’s down to hard work and determination, spreading the word through our loyal customers and continuing to hold our heads high, that we have managed to recover.”