A NUMBER of businesses in Reading remain closed today after a fire on Friar Street.

Business owners have told the Chronicle they are "struggling" after being forced to close due to safety concerns in the wake of the blaze. 

Many shops including McDonald's, Eyesite and Mystic Lounge Tattoo were shut over the bank holiday, meaning they missed out on seasonal trade. 

The fire, which started on Friday afternoon in CMart on Friar Street, saw police close the road off from the public due to an "unsafe structure".

CMart said it is closed for the foreseeable future, stating: "The fire has caused significant destruction to the entire premises, rendering the store inaccessible.

"We are currently awaiting the assessment of the building structure, and the repair process is expected to take weeks, if not months.

"Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support."

READ MORE: Drone footage of Friar Street fire above CMart in Reading

Mcdonald's, which is situated just two doors down from CMart, has put notice in its window stating it is "unfortunately closed, due to a recent fire in adjacent supermarket".

The fast food chain remains open in the Oracle, Oxford Road drive-thru and Forbury retail park.

The notice adds: "We're working hard to reopen and look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we can."

Reading Chronicle:

 

Mystic Lounge Tattoo, next to CMart, remains closed today as the footpath outside is also shut.

Several shops in Union Street are also still closed including Elegant Hair and Beauty and FoneTec.

The owner of Fone Tec, Asif Iqbal, said "businesses are struggling" after being closed for four days.

READ MORE: Friar Street fire cause unidentified as building is unsafe

However, a few businesses have been able to reopen.

CEX reopened yesterday (May 29) and staff member, Karl Swift-Nelson, said there was no water or fire damage in the store, just that "the roof melted".

Eclectic Games opened for business on Sunday, May 28. In the run-up to reopening, the store warned the public: “The shop floor smells of smoke, like a back garden when your neighbour has a bonfire. The games rooms upstairs do not. We will do what we can to get rid of the odour downstairs today (May 27), and we will be open as normal for business tomorrow (May 28), 10am."

Stores are waiting for safety inspections before being allowed to reopen.