2 weeks Ago
A business owner has been forced to close her recently opened clothing boutique just weeks after a car ploughed into the shop. Lisa Openshaw, who owns her own clothing boutique, Pretty Little Closet on Tonge Moor Road says she has been left “devastated” and “unable to recover” after a car smashed into the wall of her boutique on Saturday evening (November 2). (Image: Lisa Openshaw) Another car, a telephone pole and a large metal bin was hit before the car hit the shop.
The recently opened clothing boutique was unveiled just weeks ago on September 7 and has been Lisa’s “heart and soul” since acquiring the venue in July. The crash has caused major structural damage which have rendered it unsafe for occupancy. (Image: Lisa Openshaw) Speaking to The Bolton News, Lisa Openshaw said: “I was watching a film downstairs with my daughter when my partner ran downstairs, he was panicking.
He’d had a call from his mother and said ‘someone’s driven into your shop’ (Image: Lisa Openshaw) “My legs just went jelly I couldn’t believe it. We got down to the shop and it was like a nightmare, there was just a massive hole in it, the car wasn’t on the scene as emergency services had already taken it by that point. (Image: Lisa Openshaw) “Due to the extensive damage, the building has been classified as a danger, prohibiting me from entering to assess inventory or salvage my stock, which has left me unable to operate or fulfil customer orders.
READ MORE: Woman wanted on recall to prison arrested in Halliwell Westhoughton man caught with thousands of £s of drugs avoids jail Bolton police speak about their work in the town centre “I’ve had nothing I’ve had no recognition or accountability for what they’ve done, I know if that was my child I’d be absolutely mortified – but I’ve just had silence. “They’ve damaged so much. (Image: Lisa Openshaw) “The financial strain of the incident has depleted my resources, preventing me from purchasing new products to restock the business.
“I haven’t stopped crying; we’ve not even been open eight weeks. It’s just a massive kick in the teeth. “My kids' Christmas presents are in there, I’m pregnant and I’m worried that the stress will affect my baby.
It’s just having to start again from scratch that’s so painful. “As of now, I am unable to recover from this incident. The costs associated with repairs, coupled with the loss of income during this period, have made it impossible for me to continue operations.
“Without immediate financial assistance or a resolution to this situation, I fear that my business may be permanently lost." A GoFundMe for Lisa’s business can be found here. (Image: Lisa Openshaw) Lisa said: “This incident has devastated my livelihood and impacted my employee and community.
“If anyone can spare any amount of donation to help me work my business online it would be much appreciated.” A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police said: " "We were called at 11.14pm to reports of an road traffic collision on Tonge Moor Road on 2/11/2024.
"It is believed it was involving a vehicle which subsequently caused damage to a building. Two men have been arrested." North West Ambulance Service have also been contacted for comment.
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