Camp House Inn leads calls to support pubs after floods

The Rose and Crown in Severn Stoke and the Camp House Inn in Grimley, near Worcester are among the pubs open again after both were flooded after two successive storms caused the River Severn to burst its banks.

The Lenchford Riverside Inn at Shrawley is also opening again tomorrow (Wednesday) from 11am after the cellar flooded which meant equipment had to be replaced.

RESILIENT: Jo Wainwright-Scarrot at the Camp House Inn which is now open after the family cleaned up in the wake of the floods caused by storms Gerrit and Henk (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

First Storm Gerrik struck on December 27 and 28 December last year followed by Henk on January 2.

Lyn Wainwright at the Camp said they opened on Monday and were looking forward to welcoming people back.

The water seeped up from beneath the tiles in the dart room after Worcestershire was battered by two storms. However, the family has been working hard to clean the pub and get it ready for customers.

GRIT: The boat at Camp House Inn in Grimley - but the flood waters have now receded and they need customers to come back (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mrs Wainwright said: "We have got no customers at the moment but we are open. We welcome anybody to come back as soon as possible."

The Camp has earned a reputation for a pragmatic approach to flooding. Provided the pub itself is not flooded, they even put on a boat service to ferry customers to and from the bar if the waters form a moat around it which would otherwise cut them off - though the waters have now receded altogether. 

Andy Goodall, landlord of the Rose and Crown, also showed his gritty humour when he waded out through flood water to enjoy a pint of Guinness.

However, there is a serious side to the situation too and Mr Goodall and other flood-hit businesses need customers to support them in January which can be a quiet month for pubs in any event.

This Friday the pub has its official flood reopening party with Dublin Jacks and also featuring a Bloke called Maddie from 8.30pm. The pub has been deep cleaned by a specialist and is serving food again.

DETERMINED: Andrew Goodall, landlord of the award-winning Rose and Crown in Severn Stoke, wants to welcome people back now he and colleagues have put in the hard work to reopen after the floods (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mr Goodall said: "We are back open. Some people still seem to think we're closed. I don't know where they have been living.

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"We are doing food from 5.30pm on Friday. Book a table and come down, have something to eat and enjoy the free entertainment.

PARTY: The party this Friday at the Rose and Crown in Severn Stoke aims to get staff and customers back in better spirits after the floods (Image: Rose and Crown)

"Please come back in and support us.

"It has been tough on us and the staff and everybody else.

"We appreciate it's the end of January and people may not have any funds but if you can please dig deep and support us. Without our loyal customers, we are nothing really."

His comments follow a statement released on the pub's Facebook page which read: "We have weathered the worst floods in the history of our beloved pub, and we are immensely grateful for your unwavering support.

"Against all odds, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to swiftly clean up and restore our cherished establishment to its former glory. We are thrilled to announce that, despite the challenges, we have managed to reopen our doors in just 11 days.

"Your patience and understanding during this challenging time have been a source of immense strength for us."