Funding for flood-hit northern pubs
A Government-backed body has promised funding to help flood-hit pubs in north-east England.
A £500,000 flood relief fund is being offered for firms and visits from experts within 48 hours are available from regional development agency One NorthEast.
The region was among the worst hit by floods earlier this month, with many pubs forced to close.
One NorthEast has a relief fund to cover areas such as the initial clean-up, wages and insurance excesses. Applications will be fast-tracked to ensure quick payout.
One NorthEast will help firms develop a recovery plan, deal with insurance providers and make contingency plans to safeguard against future flooding.
Alastair MacColl, who heads the operation, said: "Our immediate priority is to ensure businesses that have been affected by flooding are back on their feet as soon as possible.
"We have developed a quick and responsive package of support to limit the amount of disruption that businesses experience.
"If businesses contact Business Link [a division of One NorthEast], an account manager will come out within 48 hours to visit them and assess the support required to get them back on their feet, so they are able to get their businesses fully functioning as soon as possible."
For more information, call 0845 6009006 or email radhvevrf@ohfvarffyvaxabegurnfg.pb.hx.
Meanwhile, Floods Recovery Minister John Healey has met insurance industry leaders to discuss how they are dealing with the 2,000 claims relating to the floods.
He said: "I welcome the additional information available on the Association of British Insurer's website for customers, the 24-hour emergency hotlines that many insurers have set up to process claims more quickly, and that companies are pro-actively contacting policyholders in affected areas to see how they can help."
