THE devastated owners of a holiday cottage destroyed by fire after a suspected arson attack say it will take over a year to recover.
Chloe and Lee Bone, the owners of Station House Luxury Holiday Cottage in Worcester Road, Malvern Link, have now revealed more about the impact of the fire on the business and say they have already lost 'peak trade'.
They previously released CCTV video of a man police want to speak to after the incident in the early hours of Tuesday, March 7.
Chloe Bone said: "Moving forward, we won’t be able to begin the work until at least September because of the insurance procedure, the work itself is a twelve month job because of the structural damages to the building.
READ MORE: Owners of Station House in Malvern thank public
READ MORE: CCTV released after suspected arson attack at Station House in Malvern
"How many bookings we’ve had to turn down? We were at 90 percent occupancy until the end of September this year - I haven’t worked out how many bookings that is in total yet but it is a lot and our guests have been incredibly supportive and understanding of the situation.
"The restoration cost is still pending - we require a visit from many technical people before we can even get to that point including specialised surveyors, metalogists etc
"In short, we will now be missing peak trade this year, and next year. We still have our kids to support and while we have income protection insurance through the business even that is 6-8 weeks off coming to fruition with an interim payment."
The couple received a call just after midnight on March 7 telling them that the Station House was on fire. In 20 minutes the blaze had already caused significant damage.
West Mercia Police confirmed the fire is being treated as arson, while Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service launched an investigation into the fire.
In a previous statement, the couple said: "As a family we are left heartbroken that the place we poured our heart and souls into has become the subject of such a selfish and thoughtless act.
"We are heartbroken beyond belief.
Police released CCTV images from the footage saying they wanted to speak to the man as part of the arson investigation.
Anyone who recognises the man, or may have any information about the fire, is asked to contact DC Gareth Hicks on 07977 957762 or gareth.hicks@westmercia.police.uk quoting crime reference number 22/22232/23."
Two crews from Worcester Fire Station attended along with Malvern, Upton and the incident command unit from Ledbury.
All people were accounted for as the fire spread from the balcony to the ground and first floor.
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