Posted on November - 22 - 2009
Flood-hit Cockermouth business owners return
Businesses in Cockermouth are picking up the pieces today as owners return to flood-affected areas.
Around 900 businesses and residents were taking in the damage to their properties in the town this morning, amid warnings from Cumbria Police that the recovery across the county could take “years” due to the level of damage to infrastructure.
Police have established checkpoints around Cockermouth to control access, due to worries about the integrity of structures and the safety of electricity and gas supplies. Chief constable Craig Mackey told BBC News that while he could understand the frustration of business owners who had been kept away from their premises since Thursday, their continued patience was necessary.
And Cumbria Council chief executive Jill Stannard – who only took up the post on Thursday – told Radio Four’s Today Programme that the authority had been in talks with various central government departments to ask for financial aid, stressing the magnitude of damage involved.
“Obviously when you’ve lost several bridges, this is costing tens of millions,” she added.
To help cope with the aftermath of the flooding, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has opened an emergency disaster recovery fund to offer members across Cumbria, Lancashire, Scotland and the North East interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to help with repairing their premises.
National chairman John Wright called on the other organisations which have a hand in the cash-flow of small firms – such as banks, local authorities and Regional Development Agencies – to be “as understanding and flexible as possible”.
“The last 18 months have been difficult for FSB members up and down the country, so the last thing otherwise successful FSB members need is unpredictable weather and flooding to damage their prospects,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has offered advice to those affected by the flooding.
The Environment Agency today downgraded three out of four severe flood warnings for Cumbria, though it warns that the county remains set for yet more heavy rain, and is urging vigilance from residents.
IMAGE Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
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