THREE Bolton businesses may have to stay closed for more than six months after a fire-hit building was declared unsafe.

Kai Man Martial arts Academy, Headhunters hairdressing salon and La Rachelle cafe were hit by a massive inferno during a suspected arson attack last Sunday.

The blaze, which is believed to have started in the gym on the second floor of the building in Bradshawgate, is still being investigated by police.

Both the hairdressers and the cafe had expected to be back to normal by the end of this week, but any hopes were dashed when they were told by building inspectors that the property was unsafe for use.

The devastating attack has meant the three-storey terraced building on Bradshawgate will be out of action for at least six months because it is structurally unsafe. Traces of asbestos have also been found.

Headhunters owner Paul Fletcher is now doing his best to find alternative premises for his town centre business so his 10 staff can return to work.

The salon, which he has owned for more than 16 years, has a loyal customer base and Paul hopes they will stick with him through the hard times.

He told the BEN: "At first we thought we would be open at the end of the week after a big clean-up but, after the building was inspected, it has been declared unsafe. It looks like it is going to be at least six or seven months - possibly longer."

The father of three, who lives in Oldham and owns two other hairdressers, has been a hairdresser since he was 15 and has been running his own business since he was 19. His son runs his Headhunters shop in Oldham.

Paul, aged 44, said this was his biggest blow in the family business to date.

He added: "Hopefully, we will be in new premises this week. I'm trying to get a shop on the opposite side of Bradshawgate and I've contacted some builders who told me they would be willing to work round the clock to get us open."

Paul Fletcher also sub-lets the top floor gym to Mark Holmes who runs the Kai Man Martial Arts Academy. The top floor gym, was the worst hit of the three businesses with fire destroying most of the equipment.

Flames

La Rachelle cafe was spared by most of the flames and largely suffered water damage.

But they will still not be able to open for some time to come because of the unsafe building.

La Rachelle cafe owner David Coleman said: "Trade has been poor over Christmas and we were hoping to pull some back and this isn't the start to the New Year we wanted."

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