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Country Market is destroyed by fire

Country Market catches fire causing travel chaos.

Wednesday 31st of March 2010

Country Market, the popular garden centre, fruit and veg shop, restaurant and entertainment venue near Bordon was completely gutted by fire on Wednesday morning.

The elderly owner, who lives on the site, was woken by the fire at about 4.30am when the alarm went off.

He immediately phoned for help and he was later taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. He is recovering well.

Ten fire engines rushed to put out the blaze and fire fighters battled for four hours to extinguish the flames and managed to stop the fire spreading to nearby barns and outbuildings.

They managed to save some of the small animals from the pet shop however the damage is almost total with the entire main building having been completely destroyed.

Gary Marshall, a partner in the business said, "My mother and father built Counrty Market up from nothing over many years and to see it burnt to the ground in a matter of hours is totally devastating. My father is due for a kidney replacement operation in three weeks and this is the last thing he needs."

Local roads were thrown into chaos as the A325 was closed Farnham bound and thick smoke drifted across the area throughout the rush hour. Traffic was diverted up through Alton causing long tail backs along the B3004, A31 and through the Mill Lane Industrial Estate.

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Comments


	Anonymous

	Julie C 31-03-2010
	That is devastating. Can't believe the extent of the damage.
	Anonymous 31-03-2010
	Such a shame. Was a lovely place, have enjoyed so many visits there. I really hope it gets re built as it really was a key part of the community.
	Anonymous 31-03-2010
	Its so sad to see this happen especially in todays recession and local businesses need our support.
	Anonymous 01-04-2010
	So sad to hear the news, when I moved to Hampshire three years ago, to a Londoner, the country market was a nice change to your usual supermarket and I have a fond memory of my first visit. Often called in for the pet shop and the fantastic Aquarium. Have a heavy heart with the loss of all the fish, at least some of the animals from the pet shop were saved. The only bit of good news. Rebuild the place and I promise to give it more of my business.
	Anonymous 01-04-2010
	i loved the market it had lots of lovey things a shame to see it go xx:(
	Anonymous 02-04-2010
	Can't believe it . . . I was there earlier in the week - twice in fact . . . bought things from the kitchen shop . . . left my daughters advert (for drawing animals from photos) in the pet shop and then went on to buy fruit and veg in the farm shop and fish food from the aquatic centre, and also used the craft shop on the way out . . . oh dear - how sad. Liza M
	Anonymous 02-04-2010
	Still can't believe what has happened :-( Country Market was a fabulous place with a few happy memories being made there for me and my family. I wish the owners the very best and hope that in the future we will see a new Country Market 'rise from the ashes' xx
	Anonymous 02-04-2010
	Very sad to hear this news - I hope that Country Market rises from the ashes as it was the best Farm Shop for miles around (and I come from Basingstoke)
	Anonymous 02-04-2010
	A fantastic place to shop, unrivalled in it's concept. I watched it grow over 20 years to become a major part of the local economy and community. What a shock to learn of the devastation! My heart goes out to the owners and I wish them all the best for the future.
	Anonymous 05-04-2010
	cant beleive it, we are all devastated to say the least. was there last fri in the coffee shop enjoying my day looking round, cant beleive the tractor has gone, all my kids have been on that, that was the best thing ,my kids loved it and when it was at the front there use to be a great big hairy spider behind it and that was the first thing my kids looke for when we got there. just cant beleive it, so sad, hope all goes well to get it up and running again, our thoughts are with the family
	Anonymous 05-04-2010
	I wish the owners the best in trying to restore country market, it was a great place to go and i was often in there for the pet shop, aquatic centre, cook shop and farm shop. It was certainly the best farm shop around. What a sad sad day wednesday was and i feel very sorry for the pet shop owner who lost all her animals in the fire, that broke my heart x
	Anonymous 05-04-2010
	I have lived in this area all my life and this is terribly sad. Country Market was recently refurbished to a very high standard and I know that the family have built this up over many years. They must be absolutely devastated and I hope they have the motivation and energy to re-build and start again, although I am sure it will be very hard. I wish them well and my thoughts are with them and all of the owners of the businesses within the complex, who are also suffering at this sad time.
	Anonymous 14-04-2010
	We have visited the Country Market on several occasions either to eat at their tasty food in the resteraunt or purchase their wonderful fresh fruit & vegetables. It is so sad to see all the hard work the family had obviously put into building up such a great place. It was the best place to visit for miles around and I can only hope that they will be able to rebuild and look to the future. We will definitely be one of your regular customers again.
	Anonymous 23-04-2010
	Over the years I have been a regular at Country Market, I buy most of my bedding plants from their and often used the other stores located in their premises. One thing that it never lost with the expansion over the years is that sense of personal attention, and individualism. I look forward to the day when the Phoenix rises from the ashes and Country Market is reopened. In the meantime I am checking to see when the nursery part will re-open and the temporary shop as I will still be a regular.