Traders rally round to help flood-hit Nuneaton shop

[dutchman]

Villagers came out in force to help out when storm water flooded into Andy and Andrea Tidman’s curtain shop.



Blocked drains overflowed outside their premises on Attleborough Green in Nuneaton – and the battle was soon on to stop a six-inch deep tide from pouring under the door and ruining their stock.

“Without the fantastic help from neighbouring traders, my business would literally have been washed away,” said Andy.

“Everyone rallied round tremendously. It was like the Blitz spirit.

“People could see we were having problems following the heavy rainfall and just stopped what they were doing and came to help us.

“I cannot thank them enough.”

His partner Andrea, who has run Stylish Curtains for 12 years, said: “A chap from Key Estate agents over the road ran in and took off his shoes and socks and rolled up his trousers to wade in and start brushing the water away.

“Girls from the Village Hair Studio came with towels to soak things up, while lads from Devalls Funeral Directors and someone from Midland Carpet Supplies also weighed in.

“Two women from a nearby craft shop even came over with cups of tea.”

The five-hour salvage operation managed to save the rolls of material and book samples stacked inside the shop but Andy pointed the finger of blame at the borough council.

He said: “We have constantly been complaining about the state of the drains on the Green but nothing has been done. I know this was a flash flood but the drains should have been able to cope.”

The 54-year-old businessman added: “After what had happened, I personally cleaned out the six drains running in front of our shop.

“They were full of all sorts; bricks, rubbish, even condoms and hypodermic needles.

“One drain was blocked, four-feet deep, with cooking fat. I filled four buckets of stuff from each drain.

“We were fortunate enough to have a few friends in nearby shops, who leapt into action to help us save the day.

“We got away without losing anything and were able to stay open.

“But it was a close call, because lots of water was gushing around.

“In the end, though, the responsibility lies with the council and it just really isn’t good enough because they knew the drains needed unblocking.”