'Absolutely heartbreaking' - family and friends rally to support cafe owner as fire destroys secret garden
A cafe owner’s secret garden has gone up in flames just a couple of weeks before she was due to launch an outdoor bar.
Lydia Hall who runs Lydia’s on Market Street, in Clay Cross, was alerted to the fire in the early hours of Saturday morning. Her friend Libbie Towndrow said: “Lydia rang me about 4am saying the cafe was on fire. She came and picked me up, we got there and saw the fire engines. When we could go round to the garden, one of the firemen said to Lydia: “Brace yourselves. We saw everything was destroyed on the garden.
"I wanted to cry for her. She has put heart, sweat and tears into the place.”
The fire, which also destroyed the outdoor seating area, was confined to the garden which is currently out of bounds. The cafe is due to reopen tomorrow (Tuesday).
Libbie, who works occasional shifts in the cafe, had helped prepare the summerhouse for its new purpose. She said: “I’ve been scrubbing and painting ready for it to open as a bar and for everyone to enjoy.”
Friends and family are now rallying support to raise enough money to restore the cafe’s outdoor space after the devastating fire.
Libbie said: "Lydia is the kindest soul who would do absolutely anything for anyone. The Clay Cross community are brilliant when something bad happens – they rally together.
"Steve Russell at the Nags Head has offered to do a fundraiser on August 16. He’s asked for musicians and he has loads of responses. I’ve put up a post and asked for raffle prizes and quite a few people have messaged me with offers.
"Even if people can’t contribute anything, they should just turn up and show their support. I think the pub will be packed.”
Libbie has requested that people who wish to donate raffle prizes contact her via email on [email protected] or drop off contributions at the Nags Head on Market Street.
She said: “I've had lots of people messaging offering to help with the clear-up once we can but we can’t touch it at the moment.”
Jo Bennett has launched a GoFundMe appeal and posted: “Police are investigating the cause of the fire at my sister’s café. The fire completely destroyed the café’s beautiful outdoor garden area – a space she had poured her heart, soul, and savings into creating.
"We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters who responded so quickly and professionally. Their courage and swift actions prevented the fire from spreading further and undoubtedly saved the café itself from even more devastating damage. We cannot thank them enough for everything they did.”
Lydia had worked at the cafe for years before taking it over in March. Her sister commented: “Anyone who knows Lydia knows this café isn’t just a business. It’s the result of hard work, determination, and countless early mornings and late nights. Every improvement has been made with love, creating a welcoming place where the local community could enjoy great food, coffee, and company.
"To see so much of that hard work destroyed in a matter of minutes is absolutely heartbreaking.
“While insurance may help with some of the costs, it won’t cover everything, and rebuilding takes time.”
Jo’s appeal has so far raised £375 towards a £1,400 target. To make a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lydias-of-market-street-rise-again.
Derbyshire Police said: “We were called to reports of a fire in the beer garden of the New Inn pub, in Market Street, Clay Cross just before 3.35am on Saturday, July 25.
“The fire spread to neighbouring properties causing damage to Lydia’s Café at the rear of the pub.
“Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently ongoing.”
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters from Clay Cross and Chesterfield were called to a fire in the open at the rear of a property on Market Street in Clay Cross at 3:01 hours on Saturday. July 25.
"Upon arrival, crews were met with a fire involving approximately 20 metres by 25 metres of grassland. Due to the spread of the fire, nearby sheds, fencing and a shipping container were affected.
“Fire crews used three hose reel jets and a main jet to extinguish the fire. The stop message was received at 05:17 hours.
“An investigation into the fire concluded with the cause being undeterminable.”