Back in business: Owner Lisa Newrick-Meades, left, and manager Sian Tutak back in business ready for Valentines Day despite the serious fire at Looma florists in the High Street at Aldeburgh

THE owner of a gift shop that was devastated by fire has praised the local community for rallying round in her hour of need.

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Little stock was left in tact at Looma Home and Gifts, in Aldeburgh’s High Street, after flames swept through the ground floor in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Yesterday, owner Lisa Newrick-Meades, who has run the shop for 12 years, said she had been overwhelmed by people’s support.

The 41-year-old has set up a workshop in her home so she can continue the flower delivery side of the business, while from Saturday she will be trading from the front of Russell and Newnes wines in the High Street.

Repair work is now under way in her shop and she said she hopes to re-open in time for Valentine’s Day.

Mrs Newrick-Meades said: “The support has been absolutely fantastic. We have had lots of lovely cards and people have rallied round. We can’t thank them enough.

“It just goes to show what a lovely community we have here in Aldeburgh. I’ve been really touched by it.

“The shop itself needs a total rebuild. The fire completely devastated it. If there had been someone upstairs in the flat I dread to think what could have happened. I can re-build the shop but if someone had been hurt it would have been terrible.

“We have been able to set up a little workshop at home so we are still continuing with the flower deliveries. From Saturday we will also be trading opposite the shop from Russell and Newnes, which is very kind of them.”

Mrs Newrick-Meades also paid tribute to the firefighters from Aldeburgh and Leiston who battled the blaze, believed to have been caused by a faulty plug socket.

She also thanked her shop manager and James Evans, of nearby Jack Wills, for raising the alarm.