A Nantwich mum is days away from re-opening her business which was destroyed by fire just seven months ago.
Mandy Grinnell has rebuilt her Playworld children’s centre in Shavington from scratch.
The centre, on Newcastle Road, was destroyed in a huge blaze sparked by a faulty kitchen appliance.
Now, after months of heartache and hard work, the mother-of-three from Stapeley is on the verge of re-opening a centre she hopes will be “bigger and better” than ever.
“It’s been a very difficult year for us, but now we can start afresh,” she said.
“I have a six-year-old business, but everything will be new and fresh. It will all be worth it when it’s done.”
Nantwichnews took a glimpse inside the new centre as teams work around the clock to complete the refurbishment in time for a planned December 1 opening.
And these pictures show the transformation compared to the charred remains left back in April.
Now the main frame of the new play structure is in place, and engineers are busy installing the toddler play area this week.
Work is also full steam ahead on re-building the kitchen and function rooms.
But it’s the main play feature which Mandy hopes will attract back customers she has been without for seven months.
“We’ve themed it on the world and its famous landmarks, ” added Mandy.
“We have The Great Wall of China, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Giant’s Causeway among others!
“We wanted it to be educational as well as fun. Children can learn about the world while playing.”
But the big hit is expected to be a new area called “Space”, which will include softball cannons among other equipment.
“It has been a long, emotional seven months,” Mandy added.
“For 4 or 5 months we couldn’t do anything while insurance issues were sorted out. We could only stare at the charred mess, it was so frustrating.
“But it will be worth it – I know customers are going to love what we’ve done!”
Why the upset? Stating “mother of 3” merely adds qualification to the owner surely?
Same as “dog lover Mary, opens a pet sitting business”, or “father of 2 sets up football team”
I am a business woman without children and knowexactly how hard it is to juggle everything that comes with managing staff, budgets, marketing, training, finance, legal issues and having the responsibility that the butt stops with me etc etc.
I say hats-off to all mums that can juggle a business and family and highlighting she has 3 children adds to my respect and admiration for her.
This news article simply stating fact whilst re-enforcing how resilient and amazing us ladies are!
I’m impressed that this had been made into a “sexism” debate… well done.
Quite agree, typical stereotype with reference to being a mother of three, as it should read, business woman/owner, mother of three. Or just business woman/owner. Certainly a case to update editorial to reflect the times we actually live in really as it does grate somewhat.
Helen, I don’t understand your comment/criticism. It’s just a factual statement that the owner is a mother of three. If it was a “bloke”, it would say “a father of [one/two/three etc.]”. Or, if it was a female or male who had no children, it simply wouldn’t mention any children.
Why does it matter that the lady is a ‘mother of three’? Would this comment be made if it was a bloke opening the Play centre?