A neighbourhood favourite restaurant in Glossop which was devastated in a fire last year has said that it’s yet to receive ‘a single penny’ from its insurance company. Owners of Hyssop have said that they’re ‘desperate’ to open and again, and have thanked customers for their support during this difficult time.
The restaurant closed in September last year, after the blaze, caused by a tumble dryer, destroyed the unit’s top floor on the town’s high street. Firefighters had to seal off roads and evacuate some from the immediate area as they tackled the fire.
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Owners Paul Sykes and partner Jess Hine had made the restaurant a great success, with listings in the Michelin Guide and then opening a sister site, the Two Hares Deli. But the set back has cost them, and now they’ll now have to ‘start from scratch’, as well as fighting their insurance company for a payout.
Taking to their Instagram page, they said: “It's definitely been a long 7 months, so much has happened and it's not all great news, we are still fighting with our insurance company, who are yet to give us a single penny.
"So many things have happened, and it's too much to put into a post, and we know there are a few of you that know more details from visiting us at our Cafe & Deli, The Two Hares.
"In short, we were fully insured, but due to many circumstances completely out of our control, it has meant that our insurance company do not want to accept liability… YET. We hope & pray.”
They go on to say that work on the unit is taking place thanks to their landlord’s insurance, but that it could still take ‘months or even years’ with their own claim. They’ve also used cash from a crowdfunding campaign which raised £5000 last year, to help pay staff and suppliers.
They went on: “We will basically be given an empty shell again, and have to start from scratch. We don't want to give up on Hyssop, it's been our blood, sweat, and tears over the last 5 years and we need to find a way to make it come alive again.
“We genuinely thought we'd be back open in a couple of months, but this just didn't happen. We haven't been able to use our name to trade elsewhere, or use the premises in any way, due to difficult restrictions with our ongoing insurance claim.”
They’re hoping to launch another crowdfund in the hope that it might fill the gap between now and reopening. “Times are hard for everyone's finances at the moment, so it's not something we ask for lightly. We are so desperate to open for you all again, it's killing us so much,” they added.
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