Flood warning adds to trade uncertainty

Licensees across the country have been warned they could be in for a repeat performance of last November's flooding after a period of extremely wet weather.

The Environment Agency issued nine flood warnings last week as flooding was reported in Hampshire, Sussex and Kent and more than 30,000 homes were left without electricity after high winds brought down power lines and trees.

According to weather experts, November looks set to be very wet and licensees in areas that are prone to flooding have been warned to prepare for the worst.

Last year pubs around the country had to contend with flooded cellars, damaged carpets and furniture and ruined stock, with many forced to close for some time.

Severe flooding saw pubs in many areas under up to 10 feet of water. Pubs in the East Sussex towns of Uckfield and Lewes were affected badly, and staff at Harveys Brewery in Lewes had to be rescued by boat (see picture)​.

But licensees are hopeful that the weather will prove to be less of a problem this time round. A spokesman for Harveys Brewery in Lewes said: "The water is a little bit high at the moment but nothing like last year. We were very unlucky last November and had about six months worth of rain in about 24 hours, and very high winds.

"We are also better prepared this time round," he added.

Pubs on the coast said they had not been affected yet and hoped things would be better this time round. A spokesman for the Beach pub in Brighton said that although the weather was bad, it had not yet proved to be a problem.