The owner of a Nottingham wedding dress store has spoken of the 'devastating' moment she discovered a car had crashed into her building, destroying the shopfront.
But defiant Kathryn Parsons has insisted 'we are not closed' after the incident at Dream Wedding Dress in Derby Road.
Police were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Monday, December 27, and workers also had to be called in to 'prop up' the building.
Traffic lights were also taken out at the junction where Derby Road, Ilkeston Road and Alfreton Road meet, before the vehicle careered into the shop.
Part of the Canning Circus one-way system was closed all morning while emergency services worked at the scene, with Nottinghamshire Police confirming nobody had been arrested or injured as a result of the crash.
Dream Wedding Shop is a designer wedding boutique and has been open on Derby Road since 2009.
Owner Kathryn Parsons said: "‘It’s utterly devastating and shocking, I’ve seen nothing like this before.
"I was told if the car went further in, then it could’ve brought the whole building down.
"I took the person who lives above to the nearby Premier Inn.
"We’ve just got to carry on, I don’t want anyone to be worried, anyone who has ordered anything will not be affected.
"We will sort it out and we are not closed - some are worried if their dresses will be alright and I’ve had to tell them not to worry."
Derby Road was closed by the shop while the vehicle was recovered.
Structural engineering company Newline Demolition was called out, and its contract director John Lynch said 'props' had to be used to 'prop the building up'.
The incident left some nearby residents horrified.
Jane Kenny, 59, who lives in The Park, said: "I think it’s horrific, they had a beautiful dress on the front.
"I really feel for the owner as they’ve struggled because of Covid.
"It’s an odd place to crash into."
John Lewis, a student, added: "For it to happen at Christmas, I feel really sorry for the owners, but I’m glad that no one is hurt."
And a spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police added: "No arrests have been made and there have been no injuries. Officers were called out at 2.09am this morning.
"It appears to have been one vehicle involved in the building. Structural engineers are on site and the vehicle is being recovered."
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