Fire-damaged agency makes a splash as it reopens after eight months

A branch of Andrews estate and lettings agency, damaged by water as a result of a fire eight months ago, is this week reopening after an extensive restoration. 

The office, in Purley, had only completed a refresh of its appearance just months before a fire took hold in a flat in the building above in October of last year.  

The agency itself escaped damage from the flames but suffered from extensive water damage as a result of the eight fire engines which were required to extinguish the fire.  

“The work required to get us back on our feet because of the water damage was extensive. It involved pumping out the water from the flooded basement, stripping the property back to its shell including all the electrics, drying out the interior and rebuilding the interior with new walls, ceilings and flooring before adding all new fixtures, fittings, furniture and finishes” explains David Bryant, area manager at Andrews.

“The finished result, however, has allowed us to really go all-out with our customer-centric design concepts and we’re looking forward to showing this all off when we relaunch on Saturday” he adds.

 Whilst the repair work was being carried out, the seven members of staff who’d normally be located in Purley, joined with their colleagues in nearby Coulsdon.  

“We’ve thankfully been able to save the jobs of all seven members of staff at this branch, and with the it now looking better than ever, we’d very much hope to extend that number in the coming months” says Bryant.

To mark its reopening the branch will have local dignitaries and representatives of CAYSH – a charity that supports young people with housing issues - in the office to speak with visitors. 

There will also be plenty of glasses of fizz on hand...