The owner of a Penrith shop hit by a flood has just reopened the business this weekend — and says things could have been a lot worse.
Home and More Interiors, in Cornmarket, which opened last year, was flooded on 24th January when a burst radiator in a flat above caused water to come into the shop, bringing the ceiling down and causing damage to walls and floors.
Fortunately for Joanne Fisher, who owns the independent business and runs it with sister-in-law Susan Fisher, most Christmas stock had been taken out and the shop was closed while they had a short holiday.
“We were quite lucky really — it could have been a lot worse,” said Joanne. “We had to do some decorating and we’ve had a bit of a rejig. New spring stock is arriving and it’s been tricky getting everything ready quickly.”
Joanne and Susan were full of praise for customers and other businesses nearby who, they said, had been very helpful.
“We have good neighbours here who have been really supportive since we opened. They let us know we had been flooded as we weren’t there,” said Joanne.
The pair said they had been really pleased with their first year in business, and had “built up some good momentum”.
“People have been so kind and supportive since we opened. It was a worry when we started, but we have had really good feedback from the town and had people coming from Carlisle and all over,” said Joanne.
“We had built some momentum up, and you just worry about getting it back. People were wondering why we were closed and what had happened, but we are back open and ready for spring.”
