CARD shop Expressions is back open for business just one week after a car smashed through the window.

The Victoria Road gift shop has bounced back after a blue Mini ploughed into the side of the business, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage on July 21.

Expressions owners Chris and Tracy Bryant were forced to temporarily shut up shop but following a speedy refurbishment and a spring-clean the company has re-opened its doors to loyal customers.

Chris said: “We’re pleased we’re open, last week we were told it would be a long way off. Customers have been asking us about it and they’re happy to be back in.

“We’re trying to remain positive about it, we didn’t think we would be open again so quickly but it’s testament to the staff that we’ve been able to do this. There’s still a lot more work to be done on the shop though.”

Expressions' entire right-hand wall is currently boarded up with a limited amount of stock available. It will require extensive ongoing repair work before it is back to post-crash standard.

Chris said the damage to the shop has played on the couple’s minds during the past week.

“Tracy is waking up at 3am going through things in her mind to check that we’re able to re-open," he said.

"It’s a long road ahead, and it’s especially heartbreaking given all the money we spent on refurbishing the shop last year.”

An estimated £15,000 worth of christening and baby items were destroyed in the collision, which also caused deep welts which split the ceiling in two.

Expressions management used humour to get through the devastating situation, inviting Facebook users to send in their best quips to post in the shop window.

With suggested taglines including “bandaged shop, awaiting surgery”, “drive thru closed due to a Mini crisis” and “it was on the cards”, owners Chris and Tracy are remaining positive about the prospect of rebuilding their business.

“Once we knew that the lady driving the car was okay and no-one was hurt then we decided to be positive about it,” Chris said.

“We can smile about it now, I think humour is the way we are going to get through this situation.

“Tracy had the idea and since then we’ve had so many posts from our friends and people on Facebook.”

Expressions, which sells a range of gifts, has been based in Old Town for more than 30 years.

In the aftermath of the crash, the shop was inundated with cards from well-wishers and Chris praised the community support which enabled the shop to get back on its feet, “The community support has been fantastic, we’ve had people sending over teas and coffees to us and pitching in to help us out," he said.

"The Old Town traders tend to support each other quite a bit, it’s been fantastic.”