A retail owner whose business was all but destroyed by flooding celebrated the reopening of her shop yesterday.
Footprint in Aboyne was one of several premises flooded in Station Square as a result of Storm Frank in January, but, with the help of local councillors and volunteers, owner Ruth Punyer has been able to save her business.
Having only opened a year ago, Mrs Punyer could not believe her bad luck when her shop was so badly damaged. But, with local assistance, she managed to find temporary digs across the road.
And Mrs Punyer and her husband, Lee, are now back in business and looking forward to the future again.
Whilst enjoying serving her customers as normal, Mrs Punyer said: “It’s surreal, I can’t really believe it. I really don’t have the words.
“Out of this whole experience, I’ve learned that no matter what happens, you just have to keep going, and the support network I have had around me has made this possible and helped me get through the difficult moments.
“Now, in refitting the shop, while I’m sure we’ll have a few teething problems such as where to put the plug sockets, I’m thrilled with how the shop has turned out.”
Mr Punyer added: “It has obviously been incredibly difficult at times, and I think Ruth found it hard trying to figure out how to redo everything just like it was before but the shop is looking great now.
“I’d say to those people who have lost everything and are going to start from scratch; you will have bumps in the road, but you will get there eventually.
“I feel Aboyne was quite lucky in comparison to others, but to see people getting back to normal is a relief and fantastic to see.”
Local councillor Geva Blackett said: “What they have done is really amazing, the shop has been non-stop busy since it opened this morning.
“The new shop is modern; it’s fresh and has a wonderful display of shoes and it’s great to see the shop back up and running.
“The fact the Footprint has opened today, as well as the butchers in Ballater is showing that as a community we are well on our way to recovery.
“It won’t be business as usual, it will be business as better.”
