A convenience store which was forced to close after a car smashed through the side of the building has reopened after five months.

One Stop, in Chatham, welcomed customers back last Friday (April 19) following the incident on Saturday, December 16.

The emergency services, including police and fire crews, were called to the crash at around 5.30pm on December 16 after a car lost control and smashed through the store’s delivery entrance.

Video footage showing the aftermath captured a silver car with its hazard lights flashing stuck in the side of the building, which is near the junction with Magpie Hall Road and Shipwrights Avenue.

No injuries were reported and no further police action was taken.

The shop was then boarded up and fencing was erected while repairs took place and it has been shut ever since.

However, it has now reopened almost five months after the crash.

A One Stop spokesperson added: “We are thrilled to be able to serve the local community once again and look forward to seeing many more of our customers in store.”

At the time, scores of customers were thought to be waiting to pick up Christmas gifts from the store which was also a parcel pick-up and drop-off post for delivery firm Evri.

It was understood some packages suffered damage but arrangements were put in place for them to be redistributed for delivery and collection.

Following the crash, staff also donated around £1,000 worth of groceries to the homeless charity Gillingham Street Angels rather than throwing out any perishable items.