In the wake of last week’s devastating floods, in-Cumbria took the opportunity to speak to local businesspeople who are still open.

Abbot Hall Art Gallery was hit by the rising flood waters on Saturday night and the Gallery cafe was particularly badly hit.

We spoke to Jeanette Edgar, the director of marketing and communications at the gallery who told us about how the company was affected and when they reopened.

How did the floods affect your business?

Abbot Hall Art Gallery, like many businesses close to the River Kent in Kendal was affected by the flood waters which rose so quickly on Saturday evening. Lakeland Arts who manage the gallery were fortunate to be able to get senior and experienced staff who lived in Kendal to the Gallery and their immediate intervention secured the Gallery.

The collections in the upper galleries were never threatened by the flood water which was restricted to the lower ground floor.

Unfortunately the cafe was very been badly affected and will have to remain closed for the immediate future. It has been completely ruined by the foul flood water and required complete gutting. The staff offices on the lower ground floor were similarly affected.

Staff have been relocated to upper floors in the gallery and to other offices at Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House which is also managed by Lakeland Arts. Blackwell closed for a couple of days to road made impassable by flood waters, but reopen on Monday. The building was not at all affected.

Lakeland Arts are currently assessing all the collections at Abbot Hall to establish what damage may have been caused due to increased humidity levels.

What were the knock on effects of the flooding/power cuts/road closures?

Sadly, our staff's homes were also effected and will require time off to manage the situation

Have you reopened/relocated?

Abbot Hall and the The Canaletto: Celebrating Britain exhibition re-opened on Tuesday.

What are your plans for the future?

Inevitably we will have to redevelop the cafe area and the staff offices.

Would you consider moving?

No, Abbot Hall is an historic Grade 1 listed building.

Where were you when you found out and what was your initial reaction?

We have a security system which alerted us. A member of staff took the call and contacted the Director who lives in Kendal, she assembled a team of available people to go the the gallery.

What’s your message to other flooded businesses?

People are very supportive and are happy to help.

What evidence have you seen, of the #spiritofCumbria in action?

I have seen it on Twitter and a great example was that on Sunday morning Jamie Barnes (a curator from Keswick Museum) and his wife turned up first thing in the morning because the road closures meant they couldn’t make it to their museum so they helped us. Their help was invaluable.

Every day for the next week, we will be focusing on businesses that have been affected by flooding and get in touch using our contact pages if you want to be featured.