A FLOOD hit coffee shop and bar in York's city centre is pushing ahead with expansion plans as its owners emerge from the disaster with new found courage.

The Fossgate Social closed for three days when premises were damaged in December's floods.

Now, in response to the set-back, brother and sister owners Sarah and Mike Lakin have fast-tracked their planned refurbishment – and an expansion is imminent.

Ms Lakin said flood waters began entering the cellar on Boxing Day, and within 24 hours it had reached the top of the cellar steps, leaving beer line coolers, refrigeration units, gas tanks, pumps and more equipment under water.

She believes they were lucky compared to many others and Fossgate Social re-opened after three days, with a reduced food and drink range.

Ms Lakin said: "With a bit of positive thinking, we decided to take this mini-disaster and turn it on its head the best we could.

"Rescuing fridges from the cellar and carrying them upstairs made us decide to build a proper kitchen on the first floor, something we’d previously considered but now its necessity seems clear.

"The new space in our cellar not only makes it easier to evacuate should the Foss misbehave again, but it’s given us the opportunity to bring in more beer. The draught selection, so sorely missed by our patient and supportive customers, has now been broadened to seven lines."

Plans for the extension were originally submitted in April last year when the Lakins outlined their intentions to transform the residential flat on the first floor.

The duo, who own the Grade II listed building, want to create another serving room with capacity for an extra 20 people.

The refurbishment will be completed over the coming weeks, with an expansion into the first floor likely by Easter, as the business approaches its second anniversary.

Ms Lakin said: "The final piece of our re-build will be to expand upstairs to a rather lovely bay-windowed lounge that overlooks the street. We hope to get that open for Easter.

"The floods have given us the courage to push on upwards and the realisation that here on Fossgate, we are situated in a wonderful, caring community."

York Press: The bar's new six-line beer “bridge font”, which was previously used on one of the bars at Wembley Stadium

As part of the bar refit, Sarah and Mike have bought a six-line beer “bridge font” that was previously used on one of the bars at Wembley Stadium, and which gives more serving space by keeping the beer supply lines off the bar itself.

Ms Lakin said: "It’s a thing of beauty, made of copper and although refurbished it has maintained its well-worn character. It suits our place with its recycled scaffolding boards and stripped back brick walls just fine."

Breweries with beers on the bar include Brooklyn, Brass Castle, Magic Rock and Beavertown.

She added that old and new customers had gone out of their way to support them since the floods, and said neighbouring businesses had also helped each other.