FLOODS swept through Colwyn Bay, leaving traders facing thousands of pounds in damage costs.
Businesses in the Bay View Shopping Centre, Sea View Road, were forced to close when torrential rain hit the town last week. The water leaked through the centre’s drainage system, damaging stock, light fittings and furnishings.
Members of staff at Dorothy Perkins arrived at work on Thursday, July 22 to find an inch of water on the shop floor. Staff closed the shop and cleared the water.
Assessors from the national company were called in to review the stock damage.
Marc Mullen, owner of independent store Mobility at Home, said flood damage costs at his store had reached £3200. He said mobility scooters, sofas and rise and recline chairs had been dragged from the store to prevent damage. He said: “It was chaos at the centre on Thursday, but the other staff were fantastic. I am on my own in the store and they helped out with industrial vacuums to suck up the water. I had buckets everywhere to catch the water. It was unfortunate. We have had small leaks before, but they were fixed instantly.”
Staff across the centre displayed closed signs in their windows due to health and safety and many could be seen sweeping the water from the floor. The downpour affected stores including Shoe Zone, Holland and Barrett and Bonmarche.
Mr Mullen will hold a flood clearance sale to sell stock at reduced prices. He said: “The scooters are all weather proof. Things like sofas absorb all the water. The floor was damaged and I think that will cost a couple of hundred. I don’t know what I would do if we had more torrential rain.”
Shoppers were still able to walk through the centre and wet floor signs were displayed to prevent accidents.
Graham Bowser, manager of the Bay View Shopping Centre, said: “All stores had damage on some level. We will be reviewing all procedures, but it was an excess of rainfall in a short period and I think this is why it happened. All the staff pulled together. It was incredible.”
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