Publicans fear Christmas trade drop after tidal surge hits UK
Nick Attfield, landlord of the Harbour Inn in Southwold, Suffolk, said he spent 10 hours clearing out equipment and stock from the pub yesterday after he received an official flood warning, and is concerned that he will not be able to open the premises in time for Christmas bookings next week.
Interruption to trade
“The pub is covered in mud and sludge. There is 5ft of water in the bottom bar and 4ft of water in the kitchen. What is now the river used to be my car park. We’re lower than sea level and reckon we could be Britain’s lowest pub,” he told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser this morning.
“It’s just started to flood again and I expect we will be 2-3ft under in two hours’ time. We’re expecting another tidal wave at midnight as well.”
He said he predicts the Harbour may be closed for a week, meaning he will lose £10-15,000 of trade.
“My other pub the Bell Inn [in Walberswick, Suffolk] hasn’t flooded but we get a lot of walking trade there and the walkway to get there is now just flooded marshes – it looks like an estuary.
“We have Christmas party bookings from next week, so the interruption to trade is my biggest headache at the moment. Between the two sites I would normally make £60-70,000 over Christmas. I’m concerned how it will impact on my cash flow for January and February.”
'Out of control'
Tanya Hallem, landlady of the Golden Lion in South Hylton, Tyne and Wear, was also forced to close the pub yesterday after water and sewage burst through the pub’s cellar due to blocked drains.
“At 2pm yesterday the water situation was out of control and by 3pm no one could get anywhere near the pub,” she said.
“I phoned the council early in the morning to get some sandbags and they said someone would come in four hours, but 12 hours later no one had come.
“Equipment and office furniture is ruined because there is so much water and the smell from the sewage is horrendous.
“There is still water in there now as there was another flood at 4am, but we have two Christmas parties booked in today so we’ve had to open. I’ve shut the cellar door and just hope the smell will stay.”
Lost at Sea
Ronnie Scott, owner of the Ship Inn in Saltburn, North Yorkshire, said the interior of his pub has managed to stay dry but he has been clearing up the damage to the pub’s garden since 6am this morning.
“We have a very large beer garden – or we had one. There are now big holes as it’s all been lifted. We’ve lost about 8 large tables – they have gone into the sea, who knows where they are now. And a big tide is expected again tonight.
“I phoned my insurance company this morning, but they are rather busy at the moment apparently. Damage-wise, I will be liable for the first £1,000 though.”
Advice
The British Beer and Pub Association has previously released a statement for licensees affected by the flooding, advising publicans to notify their insurance broker as soon as possible, take photographs of the damage and keep track of any emergency expenses incurred during the clean-up operation.
Has your pub been affected by the tidal floods? Send your comments and pictures to ryyvr.obgujryy@jeoz.pbz
