A huge thank you to the brave firefighters who tackled the blaze at Peacocks shop in Blandford Street this week. Their courageous actions helped save many other properties in this historic street from harm.

It is terribly sad that Peacocks has suffered such severe damage but, thankfully, no-one was injured. My thoughts are with the staff and other local businesses affected by the fire.

• The Peacocks building has been used as a shop for decades, including as Colin Clasper and Knightalls. In 1911 the property was split into four houses – and was home to, among others, a clerk, carter, hotel owner, house agent, two miners, a builder and future World War One soldier.