A CHIP shop forced to close after suffering £50,000 of damage following an accidental blaze has re-opened and experienced overwhelming demand.

Barry mayor, Cllr Nic Hodges declared the Fryer Tuck, in Richards Street, open on Wednesday, June 12.

The popular eaterie was destroyed on May 16 this year and firefighters declared that flames had taken hold when the washer-drier, on the premises, overheated

The damage left the owner Dave and Lauren Farnham with a £40,000 to £50,000 insurance repair bill as the shop needed to be completely re-gutted with new equipment installed.

Mr Farnham said: “It was very stressful for the first months after the fire. We had to sort out the insurance and it was important to open as quickly as possible because we had staff. Finally, it’s come together.

“It’s been super busy. We’ve had the best Wednesday on record. Everyone is really happy.”

The couple, who have a one-year-old son Archie, at first thought that the damage would produce a £20,000 bill.

Mr Farnham said: “We completely under-estimated the damage. The building was severely damaged and the walls had to be stripped back to the brick. We had to replace all the contents.”

Their other five-star food hygiene rating shop, The Master Fryer, in Skomer Road, Barry, kept them going but staff and customers were anxious for a quick town centre return.

Mr Farnham added: “We had a grand re-opening. 55,000 people viewed on social media and we had offers. We had customers before the mayor turned up. Basically half of Barry has been in since. Customers are coming in saying: ‘We really missed you so much.’ Morale is really good. It’s given us a really good feeling being busy and everyone coming in.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has helped us along the way. The staff have put in long hours helping us clean and we would like to thank the public who have helped us.”

The Fryer Tuck, in Richards Street, Barry, is open Monday to Saturday, from 11.30am to 9.30pm.