Heavy rain and melting snow wreaked havoc in Rossendale as river levels surged, leading to widespread flooding that forced many businesses to close their doors. Among the hardest-hit areas were Bacup and Ramsbottom, where rising water transformed streets into rivers, leaving local business owners in distress as they grappled with the impacts on their livelihoods.
For Andrew Jones, who had just opened Bacup Bargains, a not-for-profit store, on Wednesday, the situation felt especially tragic. The enterprise is dedicated to selling both new and used goods while reinvesting profits back into the business and the community. However, on that fateful day, floodwaters claimed approximately £100 worth of stock, largely consisting of clothing that was repurposed as makeshift sandbags to hold back the rising tide.
“We had to close around 12 PM because there was no way anyone was getting anywhere near us,” Andrew recounted, anxiety still evident in his voice. “We managed to spend Sunday morning cleaning up the mess, but it’s been a worrying time.” Despite his best efforts to protect the electrical infrastructure of his shop, he revealed that the water had risen dangerously close to the electric box. “At one point, it was really concerning. But we covered up the electric box, which helped. I’ve never seen flooding this severe in my entire life,” he added, expressing disbelief at the devastation that had struck his community.
Andrew, a resident of nearby Stacksteads, reflected on the severity of the flooding. He described how early Sunday morning was particularly harrowing, with roads submerged and entirely impassable. “The water looked far from clean,” he lamented, conveying a sense of foreboding that hung in the air as local residents continuously worried about the deluge throughout Saturday night.
Bacup Bargains also serves as a community hub, offering a space for people to connect and combat loneliness while providing information for those facing financial difficulties, mental health challenges, or homelessness. Despite the flooding, Andrew remains hopeful, stating his intention to reopen the shop on Monday, November 25, resolute in the belief that the community will rally to support one another in the aftermath of this disaster.
The flooding crisis also impacted Freshair, a hair salon in Bacup, where stylist Charli-Mae Sutcliffe described a frantic race against time to protect the business. “The bad weather started around 12 PM and got progressively worse. I had to use towels at the back of the door to stop the flood waters from coming in,” Charli-Mae recounted. A kind patron even stopped to assist, providing items like a large piece of wood to block the water. However, she expressed her concerns, saying, “I imagine the flooring will be damaged. This is the last thing we needed, especially with Christmas just around the corner. I’m just worried to go back in case the shop is a mess and the floor is ruined right before the Christmas rush begins.”
Not all businesses faced the same devastating consequences. Paul Sullivan, owner of Paul Sullivan Leather on Market Street, found himself fortunate as his shop is located on an upper floor, allowing it to avoid direct inundation. However, he shared his shock at witnessing such extreme weather conditions during his eight years of trading. “The day began with snow and ice, and then it turned into an absolute downpour,” Paul recounted. “Cars seemed to be struggling on the roads. It was quite a sight when I opened the shop door and saw waves crashing over the threshold. Thankfully, being on the first floor, we can still operate, but accessibility and footfall have become real issues for us,” he noted, illustrating the knock-on effects of flooding beyond mere water damage.
Despite the challenges, Paul remained optimistic, stating, “It’s an old building — the rain was so heavy that droplets came through the ceiling and windows, but we will bounce back. We always do.” His resilience mirrored the sentiment shared by many local business owners, as they collectively began to pick up the pieces and assess how they could recover.
The story took a different turn for Mario’s Italian restaurant, located on Market Street in Bacup. Although the restaurant remained open during the storm, the cellar sustained significant flooding. On the other hand, The Waterloo bar on Rochdale Road reported substantial water damage, posting on social media, “Due to recent flooding, The Waterloo has sustained significant damage. Sadly, we are closed until further notice. We are currently assessing the damage and necessary repairs, and we appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time.” Such messages highlighted the level of disruption caused by the relentless rainfall, leaving many businesses in precarious situations.
Meanwhile, The Duckworth Arms on Whalley Road in Ramsbottom had to close its doors on Saturday but has since reopened, demonstrating the community’s resilience in facing adversity. Stories of support and camaraderie began to surface as community members rallied together to help one another in their time of need.
Bury councillor Gareth Staples-Jones praised the tireless efforts of volunteers working to clear drains and help restore order to affected areas. “It was a tremendous effort by volunteers today at Nuttall Park, where we cleared most of the drains and managed to remove a lot of the water, though plenty of mud and silt remain,” he said, conveying gratitude for the collaborative spirit displayed. “We’ve removed a great deal of the larger logs from the paths and playground, and have emptied the community base to clean off some bits that sadly got a bit damp!”
The commitment to remediation did not end there. Rossendale councillor Alyson Barnes highlighted collaborative efforts between the Environment Agency and Lancashire County Council in addressing the flooding crisis. “We have been focusing on clearing culverts and gullies today, utilizing the additional road sweeper on hire to combat leaf fall,” she explained. “Our team will be deploying two road sweepers and two footpath sweepers starting tomorrow, concentrating on the areas of the town center that experienced flooding and the main roads in Rawtenstall, Haslingden, Bacup, and Whitworth, before reaching out to the surrounding areas,” she added, underscoring the determination of local authorities to facilitate cleanup and recovery processes.
Additionally, cleaners have been deployed in Bacup, Rawtenstall, and Haslingden to assist with the cleanup operation before broadening efforts to surrounding areas. The community spirit that pervaded the response to the crisis emphasized the power of solidarity amid adversity, with residents and officials coming together in the face of hardship.
As businesses, local authorities, and community members banded together, they began the daunting task of recovery in the wake of Storm Bert, determined to restore their cherished town to its former glory. Even amid the turmoil, the stories of resilience and unity served as a reminder that communities can weather even the fiercest of storms when they stand together. Although the road to recovery would undoubtedly pose its challenges, the unwavering determination of Bacup, Ramsbottom, and the surrounding areas would ignite the hope needed to rebuild and emerge stronger than before.