Wilmslow Garden Centre is continuing to trade despite being gutted by the huge blaze that ripped through the premises last week.

The business will still operate an outdoor plant area at the centre on Manchester Road.

Rainbow Play Equipment, Cheshire Spas and Swimming Pools and solar panel company The Big Green Company are also  operating from the site.

A spokesman said: “The company would like to take the opportunity to thank all customers for their kind comments and support following the incident.”

The fire broke out last Wednesday and more than 70 firefighters tackled the incident which caused extensive damage to the building before spreading to four green houses and killing four of the firm’s rabbits, two hamsters and six budgies. A large number of fish also perished in the blaze.

A passer-by raised the alarm after spotting the smoke at about 5.30am. At the height of the blaze 15 fire engines and two aerial appliances battled to keep it under control.

Firefighters were able to prevent an explosion by removing fireworks and cooling down gas cylinders on the site. They were also praised for preventing the fire spreading to neighbouring premises.

More than 50 tropical fish and 70 Koi Carp survived the incident. Crews helped transfer them from tanks so they could  be moved.

Station manager Ian West said: “This fire spread extremely quickly and with great ferocity, which made it impossible for firefighters to access that pet centre and rescue the animals. We believe that they were probably overcome by the fumes of the blaze early on, possibly even before we were called to the scene.”

A spokesman for the centre, which employs 35 people, said at the time: “Fortunately, nobody was on site at the time of the incident and we would like to thank the local fire brigade for their swift response. In the interim existing staff will be redeployed at our neighbouring centres.”

Phil Webb, who has worked at the centre for 15 years, said: “There’s not much left of it now. We’re all a bit shocked.”

The cause is not yet known and an investigation is under way.

Kieran Merriman, watch manager from Poynton, said: “At first it was quite small but it just took hold.  It was challenging because of the materials inside, including the explosives round the back.

“We managed to force entry and stop the fire spreading, if that had caught fire we would have had a large explosion on our hands. It was extremely arduous conditions because of the intense radiated heat.

“At one stage we had to pull out the firefighters as a precaution.”

Police closed Manchester Road between the Dean Row Road/ Stanneylands Road junction and the junction with B5358 Station Road.

The Jairath family, who live opposite on Manchester Road, were alerted when six year old Vaarni spotted billowing smoke.  Mum-of-three Dr Rashmi Jairath said: “It was so dark and angry, the plume of smoke was rising high over the houses.”