22 October 2020

Hayes + Storr Holt office opens with donation to fire fighters

Our new office in Holt is now officially open! The move comes despite coronavirus and a huge fire at Budgens which adjoins our new building and shares a party wall. Luckily we hadn’t moved into the new premises when the fire broke out.

“When we saw the images we thought we’d lost the building” said Jim Pallister, a director at the Holt office. “But the magnificent Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service concentrated their efforts on containing the fire and thankfully they managed to save our new office. We’re delighted they could be here with us today for the opening as we probably wouldn’t be here without them.”

Hayes + Storr donated £1000 to The Fire Fighters’ Charity as a thank you for saving the building. Jim presented the cheque to Tony Pointer, watch manager at Holt fire station, the first of 12 crews who helped put out the fire on the night. With smoke visible from 10 miles away, the huge blaze is now known to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Assistant chief fire officer for Norfolk, Scott Norman said: “The Budgens fire was very challenging for our crews but we were pleased that we were able to stop it from spreading further, and that Hayes + Storr are able to open in their new location as planned. The Fire Fighters’ Charity does some great work and we are pleased that this donation has been made to mark our efforts in Holt that night.”

Miranda Marshall, a director at Hayes + Storr who will jointly head up the new office with Jim Pallister said: “we’ve decided to name the building ‘Phoenix House’. There are buildings that deserve to be named because they have a story to tell and ours is one of them.”

She added: “We intend to bring new life to the building. The way we work has evolved so rapidly in recent months. The new offices offer easy access with social-distancing as necessary and are more modern.”

Hayes + Storr now have five offices across Norfolk. The firm has grown steadily over the years, investing in training and providing jobs for life.

Chris Filby, a legal secretary who has worked at the Holt office for over 40 years, said: “I’ve worked at Hayes + Storr in Holt for most of my working life. It’s home from home, and working at the heart of the local community is very grounding. It’s a fascinating and rewarding job.”

Jane Arnup, an associate who has worked at Hayes + Storr for over 34 years, specialising in elderly client services, said: “working here is more than just a job. It’s like an extended family. We work with people from every walk of life, through happy times to sad and sometimes bad times. We’re here to help people keep their lives on track.”

Other long-standing staff include: Jane-Louise O’Kane, Laura Weston, Jill Perry-Warnes, Trudie Painter, Cheryl Parkes, Polly Hudson and Jeanie Bidewell.

Hayes + Storr’s new office at 12 Kerridge way is now open for face-to-face appointments and telephone advice as usual. Call 01263 712835 to make an appointment.