Mobility shop reopens eight months after huge fire

A town centre mobility shop has reopened nearly eight months after a devastating fire destroyed much of its premises.

The Easy Mobility Services building in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex was severely damaged in the blaze in the early hours of 18 August 2025.

The fire in West Avenue was tackled for more than 12 hours, also destroyed two neighbouring shops and led to nearby homes being evacuated.

Investigators concluded it had been started deliberately, and police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

One man was charged with arson with intent to endanger life but the charge was later dropped.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "There have been no other arrests in connection with the fire.

"We'd encourage anyone who has any information about it to contact us."

Easy Mobility Services had been open for more than a decade before the fire forced its closure.

Paul Green, who relies on a mobility scooter to travel independently, said he was "glad they're back".

"I'll be using them on a regular basis. It's close to where I live, so it's handy for me.

"It makes my life easier, a lot easier than if they weren't here."

For many of the shop's regular customers, the closure created significant difficulties.

Dave Shimell said: "It saves all the phone calls, ringing up to get someone to come out and deal with problems when you can just pop in the shop.

"All the gang are good, they always have been, and I think they have done the shop out really nice."

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