Mary Bastholm investigation has "become part of my life" says business owner next to Gloucester cafe
Excavations are ongoing at the Clean Plate cafe in Southgate Street
The owner of a business next the cafe in Gloucester where excavations are taking place say the investigation has "become part of my life".
Detectives are searching the cellar of the Clean Plate cafe in Southgate Street after evidence emerged suggesting a body could be buried there.
Last week they said how geophysical survey equipment which captured an image of blue material underneath the floor of the cafe.
They have re-opened the missing persons case of 15-year-old Mary Bastholm who disappeared from Bristol Road, Gloucester in 1968.
She's thought to be a potential victim of serial killer Fred West.
It's been just over a week on after forensic teams began digging up the cellar in the cafe to see if any human remains can be found.
Stephen Cliff, owner of Quayside Clocks next to the cafe, said: "I've heard noises but not quite as much as I might have expected.
"I would've though there would have been heavier drilling but I suppose they have all this modern equipment now.
"There seems to be more vehicles around at the moment than there were previously and more shifts going on between officers coming and going".
The name Fred West has haunted the city for nearly three decades after the heinous crime he and his wife Rose committed were disclosed.
The couple tortured, raped and murdered an unknown number of women over a 20-year period.
Stephen continued: "This has become part of my life.
"The amount of hours during the day talking to friends and family members, and my mind whirring away, probably tops around three or four hours out of my otherwise normal life.
"Certainly for me it's made me investigate more about Fred and Rose West. I wasn't previously interested but now I have developed a level of interest because it's so close to home".
Detectives say they expect to be at the cafe for a "number of weeks" and excavation work and investigations continue.