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Car crashes through newly reopened butcher's shop

Isabella Boneham,West Midlandsand
Joan Cummins,in Balsall Common
News imageEric Lyons View from inside a shop: a blue car has crashed through the storefront and is wedged inside, its front end pressed into a shelving unit stocked with food products. Glass-fronted display cabinets stand on either side of the scene.Eric Lyons
CCTV footage captured the moment the car was driven into the shop

A driver has crashed through the front of a village butcher's just days after it reopened following a major refurbishment.

The vehicle ploughed into the front window of Eric Lyons Butchers on Station Road in Balsall Common, near Coventry, just after 12:00 GMT.

Nick Lyons, from the family-run business that dates back to the 1800s, said the crash caused extensive damage, with the car going through "90% of the front of the shop". The premises will now be shut for repairs until January.

In a Facebook post, Lyons said a customer and two staff members were inside the shop at the time but nobody was hurt. West Midlands Ambulance Service said a woman was assessed but discharged at the scene.

"There was a customer in the back right, and two members of staff were behind the butcher's counter and jumped up on the wooden block, so we are all fine," Lyons said.

"Everyone is safe; please do not worry, and it will look beautiful again come January."

The Balsall Common branch had reopened on Monday after being closed for two weeks for extensive refurbishment works.

Lyons told the BBC there was a customer in a corner and "luckily Rach was out the back sorting the hot food out".

"So I reckon 80% of the shop someone would have been critically injured, or if not, worse. So yeah, [a] miracle has happened basically today.

"The most important thing is no-one has been injured."

News imageBroken glass covers much of the floor, which takes up most of the photo. Fridges full of food are at the far left and right, and a counter is in the upper-right corner. There are upturned baskets of eggs and other goods scattered on the floor.
Nick Lyons, from the family-run business, says the crash caused extensive damage

The fire service said two fire engines attended the scene and that the two people in the vehicle had freed themselves before crews arrived.

Eric Lyons also operates shops in Knowle, Bentley Heath and Codsall.

On its website, the company said: "Our master butchers are the best in the business, with generations of our family passing on master craftsmanship in the art of preparing meat."

West Midlands Police has been approached for comment.

News imageSupplied Police car and officers outside Eric Lyons Butchers on Station Road in Balsall Common after a car crashed through the front of the shop. Damage can be seen to the shopfront, with vehicles parked nearby on the village high street.Supplied
Police attended the scene at the Eric Lyons butcher's shop in Balsall Common on Wednesday

Dozens of customers left messages of support on social media following the incident.

One person wrote: "What a shame you've worked so hard to get it open and then. Anyway, everyone is safe, that's the main thing."

Another added: "Glad everyone is OK! Already looking forward to reopening in January."

News imageBoarded-up premises with the words "Eric Lyons" on the building in the top left of the image. Other premises and vehicles are on the right of the photo.
Dozens of customers left messages of support on social media following the incident

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