70 per cent drop in trade for towns hit by flooding

Businesses which did not flood during the storm have still suffered a downturn due to decreased footfall across the region.

The confectionary company Friars has been operating out of Keswick for over 80 years, and recently opened a new store in Ambleside.

Speaking to in-Cumbria, Michael Webster - who runs Friars with his brother Richard - said: “In the week after the floods sales were up to 70 per cent down, after that they have slowly recovered in Keswick, however Ambleside is struggling.

“Reduced visitor numbers mean reduced turnover. Hopefully this will recover, although it remains to be seen how many people have been put off visiting over the next six months and have made alternative plans.”

Some of the drop in footfall is due to the large amount of road closures in the region. Over 30 roads remain closed, including the A591 which runs through the heart of the Lake District, and has been closed between Grasmere and Keswick.

Ian Stephens, the managing director of Cumbria Tourism said that there is a perception that Cumbria is “inaccessible”, and there has been a significant drop in bookings in the region.

Speaking to in-Cumbria, Mr Stephens said: “Unfortunately with the flooding, it’s still quite hard to say how much damage has been done, there’s been tens of millions worth of damage but there’s also the direct impact on our image, and the perception that that the county might be closed off and inaccessible.”

His advice to businesses impacted by the floods was to continue trading and keep putting out the message that Cumbria is open for business.

He added: “Instead of this being a time to relaunch, right now it’s about continuing, business in not least about availability, so getting people to rebook and keep telling people that the events aren’t usual.”

SMEs in Cumbria which have been affected by the flooding are eligible to apply to Cumbria Growth Hub for grants to help with flood recovery.