ONE of York's biggest and best-known seafood restaurants is set to remain closed until early summer after being badly flooded last December.

The basement of Loch Fyne in Fossgate was inundated when the adjacent River Foss burst its banks on Boxing Day, following heavy and persistent rain in the York area.

While the dining area was above the height of the floods, a sign in the window indicates there will be a 20 week project to strip out, dry and reinstate the basement.

A spokesperson for Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill, told The Press: “We are working hard to get our York restaurant re-opened in early summer, once we have carried out a thorough refurbishment to the areas of the building that were affected by flooding late last year.

"We apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this closure causes and look forward to welcoming them back soon.”

The restaurant is situated in Foss Bridge House, the Grade II* listed former FR Stubbs ironmongers store, which was carefully restored after the shop closed in the mid-2000s, using original materials and retaining the old high ceilings.

Its closure has disappointed customers, with one person posting a comment on TripAdvisor that they had visited York recently and been looking forward to their visit to Loch Fyne, only to find the property closed, adding: "Disappointed."

Numerous shops, pubs and restaurants in the Walmgate and Fossgate area were flooded after the Foss barrier and pumping station at the river's confluence with the River Ouse was overwhelmed on Boxing Day by the sheer volume of water coming down the Foss.

About 35 tonnes per second was reaching the station when the eight pumps were only capable of pumping out 30 tonnes per second and, with floodwater entering the control room, the barrier was lifted by the Environment Agency.

The pumping station's failure is still being investigated by the agency, with £13 million set aside by the Government to fund a major strengthening of the defences.