A PARADE of shops developed to replace those destroyed by fire two years ago have been officially re-opened a paralympic legend.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was guest of honour for the ribbon cutting at the Orchad Parade, Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe.

The original buildings were devastated by a blaze in May 2012 and lay empty for almost a year before the new plans were put forward by the site’s owner Mowden Park Estate following consultation with local residents and business owners.

As a result, nine new units have been developed adjoining the existing Sainsburys and are now occupied by a range of tenants.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “It is great to see Orchard Parade back open and playing an important role for the community. The work which has gone into re-building the site and ensuring there are tenants to bring it to life has been a huge boost to the community of Eaglescliffe and I was very happy to play a role in the official opening.”

Tenants include a baker, takeaway, hairdresser, florists and butcher, while the site also includes a Sainsbury’s, library and community centre.

Edward Yuill, managing director at Mowden Park Estate Co Ltd, said: “My grandfather, Cecil M Yuill, built the original Orchard Parade shops in the 1960s, so to see them devastated by fire was heartbreaking. However, leading the team which has rebuilt the site has been hugely rewarding and it is fantastic to see Orchard Parade back to full occupancy.”

In 2012, it took about 60 firefighters to tackle the fire, which destroyed a fish and chip shop, two takeaways, a hairdressing salon, pharmacy, launderette, tattoo parlour and a bookmakers.

No-one was in the shops when fire broke out in Figaro's Italian takeaway, but residents in nearby flats had to be evacuated.