A SUPERMARKET ravaged by fire last month will re-open tomorrow (August 15).

Waitrose in High Street, Wellington, has been closed since fire ripped through the lobby at 6am on July 21.

Three weeks later and the estimated £1million of damage has been repaired and supermarket bosses say they are looking forward to getting back to normal and will be welcoming customers back at 8am tomorrow.

Chris Reynard, Waitrose branch manager, said: “The fact we’re able to re-open next week is testament to the hard work and skill of a lot of people who we’d like to thank.

“We’re very grateful to those who raised the alarm in the first place, the emergency services for their response and our customers, partners, neighbours and local people for their support.”

Mr Reynard will also handover a £5,000 donation to the FirefFighters Charity to recognise the fire services’ prompt and skilled response which helped save the shop.

Matt Goodman, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, thanked the store for its donation and said: “Fire crews quickly gained control of the situation, and the fast response of Waitrose staff to provide essential information on the hazards and risks the fire crews may face was invaluable in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.”

Robert Pitman, of High Street, Wellington, pleaded not guilty to arson at Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court lastmonth in connection with the incident.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Taunton Crown Court on August 19.