A FIRE-STRUCK bakery in the centre of Dunbar has reopened its doors.
A blaze at the rear of Dunbar Community Bakery in February forced the business to close its doors for nearly six weeks.
However, after plenty of work behind the scenes, the bakery was welcoming customers through the doors again last Wednesday morning.
Isobel Knox, chair of the community bakery’s management committee, was delighted to see people returning to the High Street business.
She said: “We had a busy day.
“We were worried in case people would not have heard we were open and not come but we had a really full-on day, which was nice.
“We had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon but we had been open from 8am as usual.”
The fire, which started in the rear of the building, led to a section of the town’s High Street being closed for nearly two hours while firefighters tackled the blaze.
Then, an online fundraising appeal was launched to support the business, which first opened its doors 15 years ago.
More than £21,000 was collected through the appeal.
Donors were told that while the bakery was closed for repairs, it still faced ongoing bills, wages for staff, utilities and maintenance costs.
The appeal page said: “This isn’t just a shop.
“Since it opened in 2011, the bakery has been an award-winning cornerstone of the community, bringing fresh bread, cakes and warm welcomes to locals, visitors and workers alike.
“It was started by local people and remains community-owned and staffed, supporting local jobs and apprenticeships, and helping regenerate our High Street.”
Ms Knox took the time to thank the various businesses which had stepped in to help with the repairs.
A poster has been placed in the window of the town centre bakery highlighting the generosity and support of people, organisations and businesses.
It reads: “This poster is to highlight a special thanks to: businesses and individuals who stored our equipment/stock, donated to the crowdfunder, all of the contractors who graciously and generously moved their schedules around to make us their priority so we could open in a timely manner, retailers who donated supplies and applied discounts for our returning orders.
“Last but not least, the staff who worked tirelessly and relentlessly, kept things moving forward with multiple and extensive cleaning days, admin, supply runs, booking and organisation of the numerous contractors, hard weeks of grafting with painting and decorating, all from behind closed doors.”
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