the essential
Destroyed by fire in the summer of 2023, the sports clothing brand Intersport, located in the Artel de Castelsarrasin commercial area (Tarn-et-Garonne), has reopened its doors to the public since Wednesday December 4, 2024 .
At the start of the evening, this Tuesday, December 3, a long queue formed in front of one of the buildings in the Artel area, in Castelsarrasin. Not for sales or the Black Friday operation but for the inauguration of the Intersport store.
Victim more than a year ago, in August 2023, of a fire which ravaged no less than 1,500 m2 of building. Around sixty firefighters were mobilized that evening to put out the fire.
Also read:
VIDEO. Tarn-et-Garonne: a very large fire devastates a store in a commercial area of Castelsarrasin
From now on, it is a distant memory for local residents and traders in the area, the day before the opening of the sports clothing brand to the general public, this Wednesday, December 4.
Technical unemployment for employees
Among the employees met during the inauguration with local personalities, was Antoine. He was one of the first people to arrive on the scene during the fire on August 16, around 5 a.m.
“It was impressive,” recalls the young man. A bicycle battery had exploded, leaving large traces of cardboard. The ceiling had collapsed. Major work had to be done. » The one who was then in apprenticeship found himself continuing his professional activity in another store of the brand, in Roques-sur-Garonne.
Before returning to Castelsarrasin for the reopening, now as a contract employee. “Everything has changed now,” he looks around. But it's good to come home. »
Alongside Antoine, the head of the “outdoor” department (open air in good French) is smiling again after more than a year of technical unemployment.
“This event had an impact on the staff,” says Marine. Everything stopped overnight. It was a long wait but we are happy to get off to a good start. » The young woman is one of seven employees retained from the old team, out of a total of 22 employees.
A relief for her but also for the manager of the establishment: Daniel Gervais.
Nearly 4 million euros of work
“All employees at the time of the disaster found themselves unemployed. The insurance was taken care of,” confirms the manager.
Also read:
Castelsarrasin: less than a year after the spectacular fire which ravaged three stores, the Artel area is coming back to life
From now on, Daniel Gervais wants to look forward: “We couldn't make a mistake with the reopening. The entrance, the exit, the checkouts, the stands, the layout. Everything has been done to improve the store with a sportier and friendlier concept. »
Arousing curiosity among the hundred or so people invited for the inauguration. But not without some cost; nearly 4 million euros of work. As a reminder of the extent of the damage after the fire in August 2023.
