A garage forced to close after an entire wall collapsed during Storm Eunice has finally reopened five weeks later.

Henwood Garage in Ashford welcomed back customers yesterday after the ferocious winds left a gaping hole next to its MOT bay on Friday, February 18.

Thankfully no one was injured but security officers were called to man the site on the Henwood Industrial Estate after the incident.

Receptionist Lauren Rollings saw the moment the bricks came tumbling down.

“We noticed the wall wobbling throughout the day, it was swaying really badly,” she said.

“We warned the company next door so it could move its cars and we were just going to do the last customer’s car then leave because we could see how bad it was.

“As we were getting the last car out, we opened the shutter and it all came down.

“I was a bit shaken up.

“Luckily no one was hurt but it was quite dramatic.”

Since then, some staff have been working from home while others have been busy carrying out repairs and getting the site ready for customers once again.

A new wall has now been built but a few finishing touches are still needed.

Vehicle technician James Greenfield, who has worked at the garage for two years, says it is all thanks to its loyal customers that the reopening has been such a success.

“It’s very nice to be back and we have already been quite busy which is a good sign and loyal customers have been willing to stick with us,” he said.

“We still haven’t opened the MOT bay yet but that should be ready soon.

“We had a temporary wall up and I have been in to help fix doors and get everything ready so we have all been mucking in.”

Other firms on the estate did not suffer damage to the extent of the garage.