A FIRE-RAVAGED community hub has been rebuilt 17 months after it was destroyed.

The row of shops on Archerhill Road, in Knightswood, served people in the surrounding area as an amenity and also a place to meet friends and socialise.

They are now ready to open for business ­after being rebuilt by owner City Property.

From her deli, Grubs Up, owner Lorraine ­McManus kept tabs on vulnerable people and provided a free meal for local pensioners at Christmas.

She had run her business for seven years when it all came to an abrupt end on the night of October 20, 2012.

The businesswoman, 52, said: "We rushed down and the whole place was on fire.

"The police told us to stand back and we watched as it tore through the building. There was nothing else we could do."

Grubs Up had been renovated just weeks before the fire which was not suspicious and is understood to have been caused by a fault in the ventilation system in one of the shops.

They were so badly damaged that the row had to be completely demolished before contractors from Cruden set about rebuilding seven new units.

Lorraine has been ­unable to trade since the fire. She said: "It has been terrible. I am absolutely delighted to be back in the shop.

"We just need to get the place fitted out, which should take a few weeks, then I'll be back to work at 4am every morning, seven days-a-week.

"I have really missed my customers.

"If I hear that someone is not keeping too well, I like to pop in and see that they are okay.

"This is more than a job for me."

The seven new units have all been snapped up with three traders returning to Archerhill Road, including Lorraine and takeaway restaurants.

There will also be new additions including a barber, beautician, and undertakers.

Local councillor Paul Rooney, who represents Garscadden and Scotstoun, said: "These shops are very popular with local people, many of them living in the streets immediately surrounding them.

"For the residents, particularly those who are elderly, visiting them and the social interaction that goes with that is a very important part of their day. It will be great to see them busy with customers again."

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk