HOPES have been raised that a gallery devastated by “a tidal wave” of water could be open before the end of the month.

Found, on Dunbar High Street, was forced to temporarily close its doors at the end of August after a water pipe above was damaged and water made its way into the gallery.

Work has been ongoing behind the scenes in a bid to refurbish the premises and Amy Christie, from the gallery, was hopeful that they could be open in time for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on next Sunday (November 24).

She said: “Back to normal is still a way away but refurbishment work has been completed so the shell of the building has been reinstated now.

“I am now in a position to start piecing the gallery back together but back to normal is stretching it.

“Obviously, it takes a long time to build a business and, obviously, mine is an aesthetic one, the look is really important.

READ MORE: Dunbar: Flooded gallery closed after 'tidal wave' of water

“A lot of the fixtures and fittings were destroyed.

“We are in the process of refitting the gallery now and getting it ready so we can start merchandising, hanging artwork and displaying our crafts.

“We are not going to be trading for a week or two yet.

“There is still a huge amount of work between walls being painted and opening the doors to the public.”

A tentative reopening date to coincide with the town’s festive programme has been pencilled in.

Tuesday marked 12 weeks since the damage was done to the gallery, which celebrates the best of British arts and crafts, with a focus on local artists, and at least one flat above.

Amy, who runs the gallery alongside her husband Simon Glover, described the last three months or so as “extremely challenging, very stressful and not something I want to repeat”.

She added: “The effects are still ongoing.

“We are still trying to access compensation through insurance and still have to repair or attempt to repair some of the artwork, replacing my fittings and it has been a much longer process than painting the walls and putting a new floor down.”

The Found Gallery, on Dunbar High Street, was damaged earlier this yearThe Found Gallery, on Dunbar High Street, was damaged earlier this year (Image: Contributed)

While work is ongoing to get the premises open again for a hopefully busy festive period, customers have been quick to wish the business, which has been part of the town centre for more than a decade, well.

Amy added: “I’ve had lots of people knocking on the door and wish us well, which has been really wonderful.”

Previously, East Lothian Council, whom Amy rents the shop from, told the Courier that dehumidifiers had been put in place to assist in drying the areas damaged.

A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed that works were now complete and the keys handed back to the tenant.