Lake District pubs devastated by floods

Pubs face being closed for months and others are confronting an uncertain trading future due to floods devastating parts of the Lake District.

Cockermouth in Cumbria has been the worst hit with flood water destroying businesses throughout the town - and more bad weather is predicted.

Four of those seriously affected are Jennings pubs, with two - the Bush Inn and Hunters - expected to be closed for up to six months.

Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston's Pub Company which owns the pubs, said he hoped the other two would be open in time for Christmas.

"We are doing all of the damage assessment at the moment and working out what needs to be done. The prognosis is it might take six months to get two reopened.

"We are doing everything we can. We are working with the lessees and their rent has been immediately stopped."

Staff also had to be evacuated from Jennings Brewery, after flood water reached levels of between three to four feet on Friday.

And other pubs in the area that have managed to stay open are struggling to trade because customers are unable to travel.

Helen Glover, licensee at the Belle Vue pub in nearby Padcastle, said closed bridges have "crippled" trade.

"Our trade has been severely interrupted," she said. "Customers can't get here and staff can't get here. We are ready and open but we just can't get people through the door.

"The whole thing has been absolutely awful and it is crippling businesses."

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set up a £500,000 disaster recovery fund for members on Cumbria, Scotland, Lancashire and the North East. It is also offering interest free loans to help small businesses cover costs.