Film store will reopen after smash

A trader who lost treasured film props and memorabilia after a car smashed into three buildings Kidderminster, is finally preparing to reopen his shop.

The crash on August 30 last year left Craig Leonard counting the cost.

His business, now renamed Antiques & Collectables, Props Resources Dept, which sells theatre supplies and military memorabilia, was left in ruins.

A drink-driver smashed through the front of his premises in Blackwell Street, causing an estimated loss of £12,000 in stock and fittings. The driver was last year given an 18-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £100 to each of the property owners.

As well as Mr Leonard's shop, the buildings occupied by Wyre Forest District Council's monitoring department and Castle Insurance were also badly damaged in the smash.

Mr Leonard, aged 41, is now preparing to reopen his shop. He said: "I am now planning to reopen the shop on August 1 and hope to have a mystery guest to perform the ceremony."

"It has cost me a lot of money to get the business back and up-and-running," he added.