A BARROW fish and chip shop which was almost destroyed after a car ploughed into it is now open - seven months later.

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The Old Smithy in Leece Lane, Barrow was extensively damaged in the early hours of March 14 after a black BMW crashed into it.

The owners, Ellen and Alan Queen, were devastated to see the fish and chip shop they've owned for 32 years so badly damaged.

But after seven months of work Mr and Mrs Queen couldn't be happier to reopen their 'baby' today.

Mr Queen said: "We have both been looking forward to getting back to work. I put a sign up outside the shop yesterday to tell people that we were reopening and people kept pipping their horns as they drove past.

"The support we have had from the community has been great."

The black BMW that crashed into the shop had been left abandoned and Mrs Queen was just happy that no one was hurt in the accident.

The first customer to walk through the Old Smithy's new front door was Lynn Collier, from Roose.

She said: "We came down here quite a lot and we are really happy that it's reopened. Everyone always says how good a fish and chip shop this place is.

"We have been waiting for it to open again and now it has it's nice to see that its been done out beautifully - it looks lovely."

Mrs Queen was fast behind the counter battering fish and frying chips waiting for the lunchtime rush.

She said: "We have been overwhelmed with good wishes from customers. They have kept us going when things have been really difficult.
"We want to thank all the tradesmen that worked on the shop and all the suppliers for their help before and after the accident.

"Here's to a new start."