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Farm shop destroyed by fire to reopen, say owners

Ellen Knighton Wenlock Edge
News imageELLEN KNIGHT/BBC Alison and Peter standing side by side, both smiling and looking into the camera. Alison, on the left, is wearing a red and brown striped roll-neck jumper, a black hooded winter coat and has silver hair cut into a bob. She's also wearing dark framed glasses. Peter, on the right, is wearing a light blue collared shirt with a dark blue fleece over the top. They are both standing in front of a large, single-storey dark green building. The sky is grey and overcast. ELLEN KNIGHT/BBC
Alison and Peter Themans have owned their farm near Much Wenlock for 20 years

The owners of a farm shop that burnt to the ground say they are "excited" about plans to gradually reopen in 2026.

In May 2025, Wenlock Edge Farm Shop, in Shropshire, was left a pile of smouldering remains. But over eight months, it has been rebuilt.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault and damaged 95% of the building, emergency services said.

Alison Themans, who runs the shop and farm with her husband Peter, said the prospect of reopening was "exciting, but a little bit daunting".

"We were woken up in the middle of the night by a neighbour knocking on the door saying that this building was on fire," Mrs Themans recalled.

"Within about three hours, the whole lot had burnt to the ground."

Nobody was injured in the fire, which happened in the early hours of the morning and saw seven fire engines called to the scene, Mrs Themans said.

Standing in the new building, which is close to completion, she said "a huge amount of work" had taken place over the past eight months, with the pair "very excited" to reopen.

News imageELLEN KNIGHT/BBC A farm shop building that has been destroyed in a fire. The rubble is now piled up on the floor, with huge sheets of twisted, burnt corrugated metal visible. A large tree is behind the pile of debris.ELLEN KNIGHT/BBC
The structure was little more than a pile of rubble and twisted metal after the blaze

Peter Themans said the progress made over the winter had been "unbelievable".

"The machinery's all lined up to come in," he added, admitting that "like all things we have gone over budget".

Wenlock Edge Farm produces items including ham, sausages, black pudding and bacon and the couple sell their products at the shop, as well as in local markets.

Because the produce is made on site and some items require curing, the shop will reopen gradually, starting in late January.

News imageELLEN KNIGHT/BBC A large, single-storey building painted dark green, with dark framed windows and a pair of glass doors at the front. The sky is grey and overcast, and the ground around the building is covered in gravel and mud. ELLEN KNIGHT/BBC
The farm shop will gradually reopen, starting at the end of January 2026

Many people are surprised by the size of the new building, Mrs Themans said, despite it having a similar footprint to the old site.

"It'll be a lot more efficient, more modern, easier to keep clean," she continued, adding that "I think in the long run it'll be a blessing in disguise".

In addition to more space, the pair have been able to upgrade some of its equipment.

"The new fridges are going to actually only use one fifth of the old fridges' [electricity]," Mr Themans said: "So we're going to be much more green."

News imageELLEN KNIGHT/BBC Peter and Alison inside the shell of the building, looking up at the ceiling. It's fairly dark inside, but a room beyond is lit up using floodlights. The walls are white corrugated metal with dark brown beams. The floor is made of concrete.ELLEN KNIGHT/BBC
The sausage-making machinery is "all lined up" to be installed, Mr Themans said

Not having regular customers popping by has meant the road down to the shop has been "very quiet", Mrs Themans said.

"We've missed the interaction with people coming here, especially at Christmas time," she continued, adding, "it has been a bit of a pity".

"But next Christmas will be even better, because I think with the extra space we've got we should be able to increase our productivity."

Mr Themans said the support from the local community in the aftermath of the fire had been incredible, with many keen to know when the shop would be back up and running.

"When we had the fire, people sent flowers and gifts and so many cards, so much goodwill," he said.

"It was very moving. It was quite humbling."

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