WORK has begun on getting a well-known garden centre back on its feet, after its buildings were destroyed during a dramatic fire.

Strikes garden centre, on the outskirts of Stokesley, is expected to reopen in July - less than four months since the disaster took place - after bringing in specialists to quickly put up a temporary building.

The fire, on April 6, destroyed most of the building, including the restaurant, craft shop and a separate, independent business which operated out of Strikes; Maidenhead Aquatics. Eight fire appliances and 40 fire fighters from across the region worked through the night to try and save the premises, but the blaze was too intense.

Shortly afterwards the garden centre managed to reopen a temporary plant area, with a pop-up café. But now it has brought in a temporary building specialist, Spaciotempo UK to get the garden centre up and running in a short-term building.

It is being situated on an adjoining field and will be in use for the next 12 to 18 months. Building work has already begun and is scheduled to finish mid-July. The 2025sqm facility will be installed with a kitchen, café, retail area and toilets, and will be fully insulated and heated. It will be linked to the existing car park and plant area which were not affected by the fire.

Long-term the main garden centre will have to be rebuilt from scratch.

David Clark, project manager for the Strikes Garden Centre temporary building, said: “Obviously the fire has been devastating for local customers and our colleagues. We’re not a centre that just sells plants and flowers, the local public and people from far and wide will visit Strikes for days out. The garden centre interacts with the community and is proud of its synergy with neighbourhood schools and colleges.

“Unfortunately, this fire has come at possibly the busiest time of the year for a garden centre. We are immensely grateful that when the fire hit, the building was unoccupied and that there were no injuries to members of the public, our colleagues or to the fire service. Thankfully, we’re pleased to say that we won’t be out of action for too long, and our new building from Spaciotempo will be as good as new and business as usual.”

Strikes received hundreds of messages of support from local people expressing their shock and sympathy at the loss of the centre. Many took to social media to recall their fond memories of the place from visiting with grandparents or grandchildren or meeting up with friends. It also provided employment for many people locally over the years.

Tony Farley, sales director for Spaciotempo, said: “We are delighted to be able to help Strikes during this difficult time. The outpouring of support for the centre shows just what it means to the people of this area who, for generations have ties to this community icon.

“A business like Strikes depends on footfall, and with the busy months coming, it was imperative we got it back to normal as quick as possible.

“Rebuilding the centre from the ground up will take a lot of time, but we are specialists in these disaster-recovery situations, and we’re proud to say Strikes will be back just in time for summer.”