Businesses begin flood clear-up (From York Press)

York businesses begin flood clear-up

1:49pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

BUSINESSES in York city centre are pulling out all the stops to clean up and re-open after last week’s floods.

Several restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs in Tower Street and the Kings Staith area were inundated when the River Ouse reached its highest levels in 12 years.

Andy Spracklen, co-owner of Malaysian restaurant, Ning, which only opened in May, said yesterday his target was to re-open by the weekend if possible.

“We are pulling out all the stops to get the restaurant back to a presentable and hygienic state,” he said. “We’ve taken up the carpet and have contractors coming in, and we have dehumidifiers and blowers to help in drying out the place, and are having the kitchens deep cleaned.”

Zahid Hussain, manager of the nearby Olive Treet Restaurant, said the premises had been cleaned but the wooden floor would have to be replaced, and he hoped it might be possible to re-open by the weekend.

Jamie Lee, owner of the Lowther in Cumberland Street, said the downstairs area was badly damaged by floodwaters, which rose to chest height, and would need a complete refurbishment, and it might be months before the pub could re-open.

The Kings Arms also remains shut but Plonkers Wine Bar re-opened at the weekend.

Co-owner Leanne Williams said the bar had flagged stone floors and brick walls, and a pumping operation ensured floodwaters never rose above ankle height at worst.

Lizzie Richards, general manager of the Grand Opera House, said last night’s (mon) performance of Soul Sister was cancelled but shows would go ahead from today onwards, with people able to use last night’s tickets on other evenings.

She said staff had been hard at work over the weekend, removing carpeting and cleaning out the flooded lower bar and orchestra pit.

Audiences would be asked to enter through the upper entrance for the next week or two.

York council leader James Alexander said the co-ordinated efforts of emergency services, agencies and council in ensuring residents and visitors’ safety and keeping York open for business had been been ‘exceptional,’ adding that the council was now focussed on supporting people directly affected by the flood.