Flooding hits Northern pubs
Pubs in the North have been fighting the flood waters with many being forced to tackle water ridden cellars while providing a haven for customers.
Business in Sheffield, Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Nottinghamshire have been battered by the rain, and hundreds of people have fled villages near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, amid fears the nearby Ulley dam could collapse.
The cellar of Hodgsons in Beverley, North Humberside, was flooded with 12 to 15 inches of water, forcing licensee Keith Jenkins to turn the electricity for the Coca Cola machine off and bring in an extra pump to get rid of the water.
The pub has flooded before because it is surrounded by fields, but this time his single pump could not cope with the onslaught. The fire brigade and the council could not help.
He said: "I understand that they are busy, I just had a cellar under water but some people had houses under water."
In light of the severe flooding the Federation of Small Business (FSB) is calling on the Environment Agency to assist small businesses in the aftermath and insurance companies to process clams speedily.
John Wright, FSB national chairman, said: "The wettest June on record is set to have a devastating impact on small businesses in many areas of England and Wales and the extent of the damage may not become clear for some time.
"The Environment Agency, and if necessary central government, must play its part in assisting the victims of the flooding and we call on them not to forget the small business community when they do so. Jobs, livelihoods and the future of local communities are at risk."
Suppliers have also been hit. Brandels Ltd, a Rotherham-based supplier of cooling and dispense equipment, is on a state of alert because their factory is buried under feet of water.
Ruth Evans, chief executive, Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers Association, said: "They ask their customers to be patient during this time of crisis and will be in contact regarding availability of equipment etc asap."
