Bradley pub hit by water cuts

A pub near Stafford was forced to close after a water shortage meant staff could not cook food or wash any dishes.

Tim Finney, landlord of The Red Lion in Bradley, had to cancel all lunchtime bookings after the pub was left without water yesterday.

Scores of homes and businesses in villages across Staffordshire, including Bradley, Acton Trussell, Church Eaton, Derrington and Seighford, were left without water.

Severn Trent Water said the shortage was caused by technical problems at a nearby underground reservoir.

Mr Finney, who only moved into the pub in September, said the toilets were not working in the pub and for health and safety reasons he was forced to shut.

The 31-year-old said: "I had to phone customers who had booked a table to tell them we had closed.

"We had quite a busy day planned. I live above the pub and when we got up in the morning the water was off.

"We couldn't stay open for health and safety reasons. The toilets didn't work."

Mr Finney added the water shortage could not have come at a worse time, after the recent bad weather meant business had already been slow.

Severn Trent Water confirmed supplies were restored to all properties at around 6pm yesterday.