A business which was completely destroyed by the Sudbury blaze last September has reopened in new premises.

The Cobblers and Keys shop which adjoined the nail salon where the fire started was one of the worst-affected by the incident.

The blaze ripped through the entire row of timber framed buildings including the historic Goldsmith’s Mansion, and left 20 people homeless as a result.

Cobblers and Keys lost around £20,000 of stock stored on the first floor of the building which could not be claimed for on their insurance.

Since the fire, the owner Simon Evans had been trying to keep the shop running from home on an a temporary basis, which he said was “less than ideal”.

But now four months on, Cobblers and Keys has found a new home in Borehamgate Precinct and the shop was officially opened yesterday morning.

Mr Evans said it was a relief to be open again after a difficult few months.

“It’s really good to be up and running and I would like to thank everyone including our family and friends for their hard work and efforts in helping up to get a presence back on the high street,” he said.

“We have added some new services to what we offer including photo printing onto products so we are looking forward to what Borehamgate Precinct brings.

”It’s been a tough time over the past few months but we hope to come back stronger than ever.”

Sudbury mayor Jack Owen, who performed the opening ceremony, said: “This is one of the first businesses affected by the fire to get up and running again after the fire and I really hope everything works in their favour.

“It’s a good business and there are great opportunities for them. I’m really pleased they have found another place in Sudbury.”