Businesses get back on track as Bewdley flood barriers are taken down
Traders and residents have been breathing a sigh of relief as the flood barriers have been taken down and business by the River Severn returns to normal.
During recent storms the barriers defended Bewdley from the river, but Beales Corner was closed as well as the main River Bridge into the town, leaving many people facing a four-and-a-half mile detour to reach the other side.
But Environment Agency workers have now taken down the barriers and residents hope that everything will return to normal.
It was not only residents who found difficulty getting to and from work, but also shop owners, who found themselves losing passing trade, although some reported takings had been buoyed by tourists actually travelling to the town to see the swollen river and the flood defences.
Helen Heeley, aged 50, from Bewdley Blooms, said: "We had no passing trade but we were very lucky. We stayed dry and safe."
Bewdley Blooms owner Cat Banks, aged 34, said: "On Valentine's Day we just did not get the passing trade. We did get the usual telephone orders and people living locally and had lots of deliveries, but missed out on those who usually do these things at the last minute."
Rachael Willets, the 34-year-old owner of Piccolo's coffee shop, said: "I did notice a difference while the bridge was closed as people do stop for a coffee. Some people were coming to see the barriers and fortunately we have noticed that people are now coming back."
Barbara Miller, the 63-year-old owner of The Melting Pot, where people can paint and buy ceramics, said: "It has been half-term and last year we were so busy and fully booked but we noticed that while the bridge was closed that on a Thursday we had no bookings. As soon as the bridge was reopened we were back to being busy."
Sue Matthews, aged 58, who owns Cheap & Cheerful in Load Street, said: "We don't really suffer as much as many people because people did come into the town to look at the river. We did lose a lot of the local trade, but things are now picking up."
Gill Warnett, 62, whose home is behind Beales Corner, said: "Everyone in the town has nothing but praise for the Environment Agency who have been very helpful."
