Somerset pub kitchen submerged due to Storm Chandra flood
The Allerford Inn faced flooding for the second time in two decades
The Allerford Inn in Taunton has been hit by severe flooding for the second time in a decade, causing significant challenges for owner Shane Fisher and his business.
Last Tuesday, heavy rains led the River Tone to overflow, saturating the roads and ultimately breaching the pub’s floodgates.
Despite efforts to manage the situation by installing floodgates, the pressure from the flooding was increased when a tractor drove through, causing water to leak into the pub.
"The floodgates were holding quite well for a long period of time, but the tractor obviously pressurised the doors a little bit too much," Fisher said.
The worst affected areas inside were the kitchen and staffing areas, inundated with four to five inches of water.
Fisher noted the financial implications, indicating that they had previously lost the best part of £10,000 due to flooding, and felt fortunate this year due to community support.
"We had loads of people that came and mucked in," Fisher explained, noting the quick cleanup efforts by friends and family which helped avoid shutting down.
Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of flooding on upcoming events, including weddings, particularly given an existing yellow weather warning.
Fisher expressed concern about future bookings during winter months, as customers might be deterred by ongoing flooding risks.
Preparing for a wedding scheduled for tomorrow, Fisher acknowledged the worries faced by those booking events at The Allerford Inn.
"We know the bride is a little bit worried, because we've got a yellow weather warning that obviously this could occur again," Fisher said.
He also highlighted the need for government involvement in addressing the flooding issues in Somerset and Taunton, pointing out that the River Tone has not been properly dredged since a call to action in 2014.
As Fisher and his team work diligently to restore normalcy, the pub is grateful for local support and urges the community to continue backing small businesses during difficult times.