Popular Buxton cafe reopens after devastating blaze caused by spontaneous combustion

A popular Buxton cafe which was closed for nearly six months after a devastating fire has reopened.
Staff at The Cafe @ Green Pavilion - from left, Kathy East, Adam Gregory, Kim Szappamosova and Liam Cole. Picture by Jason Chadwick.Staff at The Cafe @ Green Pavilion - from left, Kathy East, Adam Gregory, Kim Szappamosova and Liam Cole. Picture by Jason Chadwick.
Staff at The Cafe @ Green Pavilion - from left, Kathy East, Adam Gregory, Kim Szappamosova and Liam Cole. Picture by Jason Chadwick.

In early April, a huge blaze ripped through The Cafe @ Green Pavilion on Terrace Road - destroying virtually everything inside the building and causing several thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Now, nearly 170 days later, the much-loved business has been rebuilt and has opened its doors again.

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Jo Connolly, who owns the cafe with her husband Simon, said: "The fire changed our lives and we’ve been on a real emotional rollercoaster - but we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has come to our aid and supported us.

Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.
Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.

"The people of Buxton have been amazing and it's wonderful to be open again."

Jo said she was surprised to learn the blaze - which broke out in the early hours of the morning on April 6 - started after some washing spontaneously combusted.

According to firefighters, this can occur when oil residue remains in materials after they have been washed and stored in piles while still hot.

"We honestly couldn't believe what had happened," said Jo.

Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.
Inside The Cafe @ Green Pavilion. Picture by Jason Chadwick.

"It was such a shock to us all.

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"The smoke penetrated everything and we lost virtually everything.

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"We salvaged some tinned produce but about £7,500 of raw stock went up in flames.

"We're still waiting for money from the insurance company."

Inside the cafe following the fire. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.Inside the cafe following the fire. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.
Inside the cafe following the fire. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.

She added: "The last six months have been a real struggle.

"We could tell you about how terrible and sad it all was but so much good has come from what happened.

"We got to spend lots of time with our gorgeous, hardworking, amazing staff rebuilding a cafe we all love.

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"Skilled local tradesmen and craftsmen worked so hard to get us open again.

The much-loved business has risen from the ashes and reopened its doors. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.The much-loved business has risen from the ashes and reopened its doors. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.
The much-loved business has risen from the ashes and reopened its doors. Picture posted on The Cafe @ Green Pavilion's Facebook page.

"Customers offered their help, time and even money and we got to know some of them much better than we did before.

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"Now we've reopened and we're so busy which is absolutely fantastic.

"We've been getting so many positive comments from customers about how the cafe looks."

"We're very proud of it - we think it's gorgeous."

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