When Storm Desmond caused mass flooding last week, the village of Glenridding was one of the worst hit areas.

In-Cumbria spoke to Steve Sykes, the executive director of Glenridding Sailing Centre.

Sykes told us about the devastation the floods caused, and the plan to come back stronger than ever.

How did the floods affect your business?  

Both the Hire cabin and the Sailing school tuition cabin floated off their foot print. Boats stored on their trailers floated off their trailers and ended up looking like a big game of Jenga at the boat park entrance. Both cabins tore electric, water and sewage joints from the ground, and flooded to waist height internally. Most records and office equipment were destroyed. Most sailing equipment and clothing are not reusable due to contaminants in the water. Decking around both cabins needs rebuilding or reclaiming from the lake

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

Glenridding was isolated by road closures, no cellular reception and no telephone lines. Occupants and business owners were unable to open for business as they were either flooded or too busy cleaning up, and then dealing with the second floods. l guess the knock on effect in my opinion was the amazing community spirit when it mattered.

Have you reopened/relocated?  

Negative on both accounts.

What are your plans for the future?  

Do what we did in 2009, get on with it!! In all seriousness, we thought 2009 was as bad as it could get - all planning post 09 was done to deal with that amount of water and Desmond showed us. l think we will deal with what we need to do now, take a little time off over Christmas and then look to the future. But we will be back!

Would you consider moving?  

Negative!

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

Got called out from home at 8.30pm - thought to myself "Oh Dear - here we go again..." but not in such eloquent language.

What’s your message to other flooded businesses?  

Store important documents off site or on a shelf at ceiling height.

What evidence have you seen, of the “spirit of Cumbria” in action?  

Lived it for a week - amazed and really have not the time tell you about it all.