Waitrose boss speaks out in aftermath of blaze

One of the few products to escape the Waitrose inferno was tobacco, a boss from the store said in an exclusive interview with the Mirror.

In an ironic twist, the blaze that ripped through the High Street store in Banstead wrecked almost all stock in the warehouse except cigarettes and smoking materials.

Destroyed: Waitrose, Banstead, was gutted by the fire Photo No: RSMpg131208-D-06 by Pete Gardner
Blaze drama: Dramatic scenes in Banstead High Street Photo No: RSMKW121208-K-38 by Keith WalterPhoto No: RSMKW121208-K-38 by Keith Walter
Drama: Our photographer took exclusive pictures of the dramatic scene
Photo no: RSMKW121208-K-123 by Keith Walter
Graham Heald, director of retail services at Waitrose, talks exclusively to the Mirror

Graham Heald, director of retail services for the store chain, said: "The warehouse was hit particularly badly and there was very little stock left but small pockets, such as the tobacco, were completely untouched."

Mr Heald said it would cost at least "several million pounds" to repair the store.

He said: "We lost several hundred thousand pounds worth of stock.

"Although we don't have an exact figure, we're looking at several million pounds to rebuild. We may even have to start from scratch."

Workmen have started examining the store to see if the basic structure can be salvaged before any building work starts.

Mr Heald added: "If this is the case, we hope to have a new and improved store built in six to eight months."

The Banstead store was engulfed by flames shortly before 9pm on December 12.

More than 100 firefighters from stations across Surrey tackled the inferno.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which is still being treated as suspicious.

The 205 staff who worked at the store were transferred to nearby branches in Epsom, Surbiton, New Malden, Worcester Park, Cobham and Hersham.

Mr Heald, who has worked for the company for 22 years, said: "Our partners [employees] have been through some dramatic emotions and we are doing everything we can to support them.

"The residents from the surrounding area have also been incredibly supportive and have left some lovely messages on our forum."

The store has been in Banstead Village for 38 years. It moved twice but has been at the current site for 18 years.

Mr Heald, who witnessed the dramatic scenes last month, said: "I have fortunately not seen anything like it before. It was remarkable, to be honest.

"The fire was just raging. Seeing it the next morning it was just total devastation."

Just before Christmas, some of the store was demolished so forensic investigations could continue.

All cash and stock have been removed from the store.