Back in time for the New Year

As the countdown continues to the new year a familiar landmark has made a timely return.

As the countdown continues to the new year a familiar landmark has made a timely return.

A popular clock located at Alan Fish’s electrical business is ticking once again just in ‘chime’ for 2025.

Its reappearance is not before time.

For time stood still when a car ploughed into Alan’s Ashton-based shop at the turn of 2023.

The damage was so bad it was a miracle Alan didn’t call time on the business altogether, while the clock that had proudly kept time at the shop for so many years was unceremoniously lost in time amid the rubble.

“The clock always had pride of place at the shop, and was used by many residents as they walked past,” said Alan.

“Many asked when it would be returning as they had missed it, but now it is back keeping time again.”

It is the final timepiece in the puzzle for the business which has been rebuilt following the disaster two years ago.

A car initially crashed into the Canterbury Street shop in September 2022, causing an estimated £30,000 of damage to the building. On that occasion the driver fled the scene.

But before any repairs were carried out and just months later in January 2023, a vehicle ploughed straight into the front of the shop, demolishing it and the flats above completely. 

Miraculously nobody was injured, Alan having left the shop literally minutes earlier and the driver walking away with just a few scratches.

But while time stops for no man, efforts to rebuild the shop proved slow moving for Alan.

“It took 22 months to rebuild the shop since the first crash happened - very nearly two years,” he said.

“There were many delays and various problems which meant endless meetings with builders, the insurance firm, main contractors, sub-contractors, surveyors and structural engineers. 

“There were delays initially with two insurance companies disagreeing about who should pay for what,” added Alan.

But now the shop is ‘back in business’ with the clock newly installed and once again taking pride of place.

Alan, well known locally as a leading figure with Tameside Scouts across the decades, says he’s delighted to ‘turn back the clock’ to happier times, and hopes the clock will help everyone keep time once again.

“Happy New Year,” he said.