It was devastating at the time - and so upsetting for this Frome family butchers they couldn't even bring themselves to talk about the fire which destroyed H.E. Williams & Sons.

But the arson attack on a car which in turn gutted the business on Baker Street in Frome did bring some positives.

As he proudly showed us around his extensive building works Nigel Williams told Nub News that they could bring back the traditional butchers which so many customers love - AND make improvements.

The butchers will be re-opening the week beginning October 26 and alongside the traditional service and top quality produce, there will be more space and some innovations.

Nigel : " We have taken the chance to make more room - so with the covid regulations we can use the space better. We can now serve from two stations too. Staff will be separated and so will the customers."

The butchers will also be offering on line sales, and, although he didn't want to reveal too much " something completely new."

But all within a very clear limit - to keep this much-appreciated local butcher looking and feeling the way it was.

" We hope to get back up and running as it was. It is important to get it back to the way it was for the customers. Right back to where we left off. As the customers liked it."

The business was founded in the 1920s but in the 2020s those customers will be able to enjoy a click and collect system which will allow them to order on line and then pick up their orders from a hatch in a new extended second part of the shop.

Nigel said: " At the time of the fire the BBC wanted to interview me and I felt too upset. But now at the moment, I almost feel like this is a good news story - we overcame it - and we are coming back to where we were so that's good.

"I am just really looking forward to getting back into the shop, getting it open. You pick yourself up - you dust yourself off and start again."