Car crashes in to Fore Street beautician

A two-hundred year old shopfront has been seriously damaged after a driver lost control of his vehicle and drove in to a beautician's shop in Fore Street.

Photo: Josh Dean

Police arrived on the scene shortly after 2pm and evacuated the building. The fire services and structural engineers are also on site. The upper floors are residential properties.

It is unclear how the accident happened but the road has been closed for three months and it is thought that the driver was attempting a three-point turn. Both the driver and passenger are reported as being safe.

Video posted on social media shows a vehicle almost driving in to a neighbouring shop two weeks ago whilst attempting a similar manoeuvre.

The Grade II listed building dates back to around 1662 and the shopfronts to the early 19th century. It is thought that some of the panes of glass in the shopfront were the original fittings.

2/9/20: Updated to correct time of arrival by police.