Traders on Ruddington’s High Street have continued to mop up and assess the damage today after yesterday’s torrential rain which flooded many of their premises. The late afternoon downpour occurred as freak summer weather hit our village just after 5pm, turning roads into rivers in just minutes.
Residents and business people captured the images below just after the deluge – which caused scenes the like of which most villagers had never witnessed before. You can read more >>HERE<<.
This morning, members of Rushcliffe Borough Council‘s ‘Streetwise’ team were onsite (photos top and below courtesy of RBC) to help continue the clear-up operation on both sides of High Street. Among those closed by the flooding has been Benwell Daykin Estate Agents – which only began trading in January before COVID-19 Coranivirus forced it to shut its doors two months later. After a brief reopening its office is now closed again – probably until the middle of next week – whilst carpets are replaced and water damage repaired.
The newly refurbished Nottinghamshire Hospice Shop premises next door were also badly affected. Water got in under the door and via drains at the back, causing damage to the shop, office and toilet areas. It will now need more new flooring, new skirting boards and another complete redecoration before it can reopen. Brand new business Sweet Moments – just two doors further along – also had to abandon today’s provisional launch plans when the water got in yesterday and ruined a lot of the stock. Thankfully the new equipment which had just arrived wasn’t affected. Helen & Simon Beale at Perkins Hardware spent several hours sweeping away the floodwater from inside their shop and cleaning up so that they could reopen today – but estimate they lost around £300 of stock which was at floor level.
Denise Selwood of Thomas James Estate Agents at 20, High Street says: “It was definitely a little scary in the offices. We were one of the lucky ones – we have quite a high step and it just came over onto our front mat – which was all the damage we had. The water level increased so quickly. Everyone joined together in the village to help – which was amazing!” Water also seeped in to the premises of Phoenix Flowers and Black Cat Café from the rear but, again, caused no serious damage.
Across the High Street, floodwater entered both Coral Bookmakers and Dhaka Delhi (pictured above). However, owner Mab says: “We still managed to do some takeaway and delivery and we are open as normal. There’s a bit of damage on the carpet and some on the skirting board.” The slightly raised premises of The Frame Breakers pub next door escaped unscathed.
Mike Ader of traders’ support group Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) says: “Yesterday’s flooding is so desperately unfortunate given that many shops have only just reopened after the lockdown. I’m delighted to see Ruddington traders rallying around each other to help those that have been so severely impacted by the waters. I’m hopeful that with a resolute and optimistic mindset everyone of the affected businesses will find a way to reopen again as soon as possible.”
Mike adds: “RVCP will continue to work really hard in bringing traders together, signposting places to find funds and support and then actively encouraging Ruddington residents to shop locally and support village businesses”.
Among those who avoided being badly flooded were the (currently closed) Christopher’s Barbers at 16 High Street and The Bottle Top at No.2 High Street. Alex Preston says: “Thankfully we escaped….. but fingers crossed for no more rain! A big thank you also goes to Jen of The Split Screen Coffee Company and to the builders next door for their help and lending of sand bags!” Ruddington Post Office and Grange Bakery & Newsagent also reopened today as normal – and Jaspers Café is carrying on doing its ‘Afternoon Tea’ deliveries whilst ever its enforced café closure continues.
Elsewhere, the news was not so good for Ruddington couple Cheryl Stretton and Rory Thorpe at their brand new distillery business Ruddy Fine. Water poured into its offices yesterday – and flooding caused damage to the newly fitted kitchen. The good news is that the expensive distillation equipment was unaffected – meaning the launch of its new ‘London Dry Gin’ at The Bottle Top, Frame Breakers, White Horse and Ruddington Village Market on July 4th will proceed as planned!
At the height of yesterday’s flooding, volunteers took to High Street to try to unblock clogged drains. Now questions are being asked about why the impact of the heavy rain was so severe. Resident Sara Louise Savage asks: “Who’s responsible for clearing the drains and gutters along the roads? Manor Park is bad enough, with just a small amount of rain due to all the leaves and litter covering the gutters, but this is just awful!” whilst Gary Baker Tweeted: “Maybe now the Council will clear the grates so the water can go down them!?”
That responsibility lies with Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC), which has responded to these widespread concerns by announcing ‘Emergency Gully Cleansing following localised flooding’ on High Street from 9.00am to 3.30pm this Friday (19th June) with ‘Stop and Go’ boards in use to control traffic. NCC is actively encouraging people to report any flooding or drainage problems around the village, which you can do by clicking >>HERE<<. Homeowners whose properties have flooded can apply for support through NCC’s ‘Hardship Fund’ by calling 0300 500 8080. Those impacted by flooding are also being recommended to visit RBC ‘s website >>HERE<<.
Ruddington residents and traders are all hoping there won’t be a repeat of Wednesday’s watery scenes any time soon…
