Floods still causing pub misery

Pubs have been struggling to get back on their feet following the devastating floods which hit trade earlier this summer.

One flood damaged local in Nottinghamshire is now like a "ghost town" despite being fully refurbished.

Michael Rounthwaite of the Royal Oak in North Leverton said even though the repaired building re-opened at the beginning of the month punters continue to go elsewhere. This is despite the fact that it is the only pub in the village.

Michael said a quarter of residents had still not moved back to the village after the flooding. He said: "We know people who used to come in here four or five nights a week and they are just not here anymore."

Michael added: "Before we closed we were taking £6,000 a week but since we've reopened we have been dead as a doornail. We have got insurance cover but if this carries on it won't be a viable option long term."

Further south in Norton, Gloucester, the Red Lion is expected to re-open within four weeks after undergoing building work.

Licensee Sam Mason said: "We will be running at a very big loss this year because the pub relies on the campsite at the back, which was also hit. By the time the work is complete we will more or less have got into the winter months when the site is not so busy."

However, the Fat Cat in Sheffield opened just a few weeks after flooding and is currently being refurbished around pub customers.

Licensee Dave Wickett said his insurance company was supportive and would have covered them for loss of earnings had they remained closed. But he said: "The staff said we should stay open. If we had just closed for a month or two, who knows whether customers would have come back."