Shropshire Star

Flood-hit Shrewsbury garage boss is hoping to reopen

A Shrewsbury garage hit by severe flooding caused by a water main bursting could reopen next year, according to its owner.

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Clive Pratt, the owner of E A Downes & Sons Ltd in Meole Brace, , said that while nothing is certain he is hopeful he might be able to reopen at some point next year – despite the floods causing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.

Mr Pratt said he had feared for the future of his business since the floods at the weekend.

But he said Severn Trent Water loss adjustors and insurers had since come to view the damage and added he was hopeful a financial package might be put together which would allow him to survive.

The garage has remained closed since the damage was caused and no firm timescale has been announced for when it will reopen.

Ten members of staff have been forced to stay away while the garage is closed – but Mr Pratt said he will keep paying them.

Mr Pratt said: "They (the loss adjustors and insurers) have not yet come to an agreement, and as yet we are still closed.

"Hopefully they will come up with some kind of package which could get me up and running.

"They have said they may be able to help me with some finance to help pay wages but we haven't had an agreement yet.

"I imagine if something is sorted it will still be quite a while before we get open again, but I am hoping we might be able to carry on – but nothing is certain.

"At the moment we are just dealing with insurers, our engineers and loss adjustors to see what can be done."

Mr Pratt said he had not ruled out taking legal action against Severn Trent for the effect flooding in the area has had on its business. He claims there have been two similar instances involving water flooding out of pipes and said it had had a growing impact on his business in recent years.

He also claimed he had not received an apology from the water supplier.

Mechanic Andy Purcell measures the depth of water

Severn Trent said engineers had restored water to all the 700 customers affected by 2.30pm on Sunday and apologised to any businesses that had been damaged.

Other nearby businesses affected included Armando Barbers, The Clay Pot and the Rainbow Connection Hair Salon – although they suffered minor flooding and were back trading on Monday morning after a quick clean up.

Earlier this week owners of the other businesses said damage to their shops had affected trade and caused some cancellations but had not forced them to close.

Temporary traffic lights in the area put up while work was being carried out have been removed.

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