Storm Bert: No insurance cover for shop owners who got flooded

Mr Chowdry has run the chippy for 10 years, but said he feels stuck as he cannot get insurance or any flood cover, with the latest storm costing about £10,000 in damages.

“I can’t sell this place,” he said.

“No-one will buy it, I won’t even get what I paid for it.

“We used to be a busy street. But the last two to three years business is slow. We are just about surviving.

“I can only have part-time staff, can’t afford to hire anyone. I used to work eight hours a day, now I work 10 to 12 hours, just to stand still.”

On Wednesday, Mr Chowdry hoped to have his business back open, but his range had stopped working due to the flood water.

“In 2020, it took six months to get back to normal,” he added.

“This time, there is no insurance at all. There’s not as much damage this time but, financially, we are in trouble.

“I can’t pay the wages at the moment, I will have to let staff go.”