Yorkshire businesswoman devastated after arsonists set fire to her plastic recycling plant

Laura Hepburn, from Robin Hood's Bay, is the director of Greenology, which has a plant that turns recycled material into reusable plastics in Liverton, near Redcar.

On Sunday night a fire was deliberately started against the boundary fence at around 10pm and it spread to the buildings, which were almost completely destroyed. Smoke from the blaze could be seen as far away as Whitby.

Laura has promised that the site will be rebuilt to protect jobs, although the business has had to stop sending free material to companies suffering shortages due to the coronavirus crisis until the plant is operational again.

She has now offered up a £1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the arsonists.

“The cause of the fire will be investigated until a satisfactory explanation is reached. The site will be cleared of the damaged material, in co-operation with the Environment Agency, the damaged building rebuilt, and operations will restart as soon as possible.

“There is absolutely no way this will affect the long-term success of the business. The short-term priority is to safeguard the jobs of local people who depend on the site for their livelihood while the continued well-being of our staff is the number one priority.

“However long it takes, it will be rebuilt in exactly the same location.”

Greenology was established by Laura, who has recently been added to the 2020 Northern Power Women List.

Her vision for her green business has seen tonnes of material recycled, preventing it from being taken to landfill sites or incinerated.

Laura added: “Above all, at this devastating time, we want to thank all the frontline workers who continue to make the site safe and have been so helpful in leading the investigation.

“We also want to thank the local people affected for their patience and support and most of all my heartbroken team who work so hard to make a difference.”