JDW hotel ‘unsure when it will reopen’ due to severe floods
The Shrewsbury Hotel is one of many sites that have been badly affected by floods in the Shropshire area.
A severe flood warning has been issued and river levels remain high, which consequently means flooding of property is expected to continue.
JDW spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “At this point, we cannot give any indication as to when the pub will reopen because we must wait for flood waters to recede, there will also be extensive works required to make the cellar operational once again.
“[Another JDW pub in Shrewsbury], Montgomery’s Tower has been unaffected by flood water although trade has been severely affected as the town is now virtually closed down, schools, colleges and shopping centres are closed, for example. The only vehicular access into town is via a single toll bridge.
“There has been flooding that has briefly affected road access to Oswestry, Newtown and Bridgnorth albeit the pubs themselves have not been subject to any flood damage.”
Terrible impact
A number of Marston’s pubs have also been affected by the floods.
A Marston’s spokesperson said: “We do have a few pubs in the Shrewsbury area that have sadly been impacted by the recent floods.
“We are in close contact with the sites that have been badly affected and working with them at this time.”
The Environment Agency believes the River Severn has now peaked in Shrewsbury but warns people there’s still a danger to life because further rainfall has been forecast over the next 48 hours.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said: “We understand the terrible impact that flooding has had on many homes and businesses, including pubs.
“The government is investing £2.6 billion to better protect the country from flooding, with our flood defence schemes on track to make 300,000 homes more flood resilient by 2021. We all have to prepare for a future where we will see more frequent events like this across the country.
“Later this year, the Environment Agency will publish its new floods strategy, setting out plans to prepare for and adapt to the risks that climate change is creating.
“We also encourage local businesses and individuals to be aware of their flood risk by signing up to flood warnings and making a flood plan.”
The public's reactions
Out reporting for @BBCShropshire this morning in Shrewsbury. Rising river levels has resulted in flooding on the town side of the English Bridge @LionandPheasant and Darwin Town House and Hop and Friars pub in #Shrewsbury#ShrewsburyFloods#floods#riversevernpic.twitter.com/vb0NM47eGX
— Tracey Gadd (@GaddTracey) February 25, 2020
Indeed, and I remember the Boat House pub in #Shrewsbury being flooded as well.
— Alasdair Wilson (@alasdair_wilson) February 18, 2020
Flood barriers have helped, but push the water in the Severn further downstream, which is why everyone says “never seen anything like it”#StormDennishttps://t.co/xZ0w7wv2FT
The river Severn has burst its banks in the heart of #Shrewsbury - just spoken to a woman who got caught in the flood water and had to be rescued. She says she’s lucky to get out of the water. Shropshire fire service boat had arrived. Sirens ringing out around the town. pic.twitter.com/yztXlN0zoF
— Nick Southall (@FootieNick) February 17, 2020
