Shop collapses in Bristol

The cause of the collapse is not yet known

An investigation is under way after a shop collapsed in Bristol in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

No one was injured when parts of the shoe shop Holbrooks in Clifton fell in at 0700 GMT.

The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into what happened, and whether it could have been prevented.

But the shop's owner says he could be out of business for months.

The building may now be pulled down

Barry Holbrook, who owns the family business in Merchants Street, said the whole building was now unsafe.

"We are not allowed inside. Half of our stock is 40-feet down in the foundations. We can't get to anything inside the shop, not even our records.

"We are trying to find premises to operate from locally, We don't know if we are going to be out of business for six or 12 months."

No one was inside the shop when it collapsed.

Gail Worlock, the shop's manageress, said the effect could have been devastating.

Barry Holbrook is now facing months without business

"Someone could have been killed."

The first Mr Holbrook knew of what had happened was when he turned up with his staff for work in the morning. Their door was cordoned off and they were told to stay on the street.

The business has been running for 80 years, but the building may now have to be pulled down.

The Health and Safety Executive said the investigation would take "considerable time."