Storms cost pubs tens of thousands
On Sunday 20 February, Storm Franklin caused 122mph winds in the Isle of Wight with areas near the Needles being among the worst hit parts of the UK.
The Terrace in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, which is near the Needles, outdoor dining pods were destroyed by the wind but the site was lucky not to have been completely flooded.
Licensee Ashley Keen has had to cancel bookings periodically since last Wednesday due to extreme weather and has now had to close the pub completely for repairs to be made with hopes of re-opening from Thursday (24 February).
She said: “You just couldn't stand outside; It was just bonkers.
— Ashley Keen (@avkeen) February 21, 2022
“The wind was just blowing and blew all the water in as well because we're right by the sea and it was high tide, it was just the perfect storm.
“[Our] reaction was to stay calm because the storm and Mother Nature is bigger than us, as long as everyone is safe, we prepared as much as we could.”
Due to repairs and closures, Keen estimated the storms will cost the Terrace around £10,000.
Luckier than others
Keen added: “We removed all loose electronic items from our dining pods and we strapped down any tables we thought might be too light, we put weights against all of the doors and the panels in the shelters, which didn't do much in the end, but we prewarned all our diners who hadn't already cancelled how exposed we are and although we stayed open, they must proceed with caution.
“To be honest, we're a lot luckier than others in so many ways.”
The Bell and Bear in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, which is a Star Pubs & Bars managed site, was crushed by a large tree, causing internal and external damage though fortunately the building remained structurally sound.
Licensee of the Bell and Bear, David Clynshaw, who lives at the pub, was not at the site when the incident occurred but rushed back from a family visit after hearing the news.
It on Sunday (20 February) afternoon and fire crews were called shortly after, with customers being guided safely out and away from the premises.
At the time of publication, fire crews had removed some debris, though the tree remained stuck in the pub roof, and Clynshaw was waiting for a surveyor to assess the damage on behalf of Star Pubs & Bars.
Though Clynshaw was unable to confirm how long the pub, which dates back to 1601, expects to be closed or how much the repairs will cost, he explained a tree surgeon had quoted him £4,500 to remove the tree alone.
Hefty bill
He said: “There's going to be quite a hefty bill.
“[The pub] is all wooden beams upstairs. [The storms] taken a lot of the tiles off the roof [and] come through a couple of the plaster boards upstairs.
“I live in the pub upstairs; I've got nowhere to live.”
Jacey’s Micropub in Whittington Moor, Chesterfield was also damaged yesterday (Monday 21 February) morning, as winds of 60mph along with torrential rain, blew the majority of the roof tiles off, with the pub having to remain closed overnight for repairs to be carried out.
Licensee Daniel Mason, estimated between the damage caused by the storm and the loss in revenue of the closure, Jacey’s will lose around £1,000.
Mason said: “It was mainly external damage, luckily. We had somebody on site pretty rapidly so repairs got started [quickly].
“[The first thing to do was] making sure everywhere was safely secured and we put it put it straight out on social media that we were closed until further notice, and then literally contractors were in and on it. I'd say by dinnertime [today] (Tuesday 22 February) all repair works will be complete.”
