Food and drink is being served again at Morpeth’s 17th century Waterford Lodge coaching inn just ten days after the cellar was under five feet of filthy water. 

And the inn has even thrown open its doors to provide accommodation for almost 30 local flood victims who have been forced to abandon their homes. 

Landlord Paul Sinclair and his team have worked round the clock to put their business recovery plan into action with support from the Economic Recovery Group which was established to respond to local business needs.

Said Paul, 47: “It has been a massive job because we lost everything that we had in the cellar.  All the equipment, 42 kegs of beer, over 1,000 bottles of wine and even our IT and communications systems because the office was down there too. 

“But with a well trained and motivated team, the backing of all the organisations which have pledged business support, our suppliers and brewers we have been able to reopen.  Fortunately our kitchen, which is on the ground floor, escaped unscathed so we can provide food to go with the new stocks of liquid refreshment.

“The community spirit being shown in Morpeth at present is absolutely phenomenal.  Everyone, without exception, is rallying to the cause and that is what will get us through this.”

Ailsa Coverdale chairs the Economic Recovery Group comprising Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Business Link, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland Business Services, Castle Morpeth Business Forum and Morpeth Chamber of Trade.

She said:  “I am delighted that the Waterford has been able to reopen so quickly and help other flood victims.  This shows the importance of having a recovery plan and a team able to deliver it.

“There are more Morpeth businesses getting themselves up and running everyday and we would urge the community to use them and help them to continue trading through this very difficult time.

“There are still around 30 companies out of action in the town centre as well as the 65 micro businesses which operated from the flooded Chantry building so our support group still has much work to do.”

Business Link brokers are helping businesses affected by the floods to apply for a flood relief financial assistance package through the North East England Investment Centre, which is distributing £500,000 funding supplied by One NorthEast.  Applications will be fast-tracked to ensure quick payouts.  The funding can be used to cover costs associated with the flooding, such as clean up, wages and insurance excesses.

Since the package was launched, 32 enquiries have been received from affected businesses, appointments have already been made and applications for funding are already being processed. For more information about the flood support package, call Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit Morpeth Business Advice Centre on Newgate Street.