Bakeries have been among the Cumbrian businesses forced to cope with the severe flooding that recently hit parts of Workington and Cockermouth.
Michael Bell, MD of Bells of Lazonby, based in Penrith, said: "It has been a big inconvenience, but we’ve just got to get on with things." The bakery has only been affected in terms of distribution, he explained, adding that one of the biggest problems in Workington has been the closure of the bridges, with people having to travel miles out of their way. For Bells: "It’s been business as usual, with a few little hurdles thrown in."
However, he said that a company-owned site, which is leased out and run by a local couple as a sandwich shop, has been left in a bad way. "The bakery counters in the shop have just been lifted up and tipped over," said Bell. He added that Cockermouth is home to many independent shops that do not have the resources of the larger retail chains to get themselves back on their feet. "It’s going to take a sublime effort to get them trading again for the next summer season."
Peter Byrom, proprietor of retail business The Bakery, based in Main Street, Great Broughton, Cockermouth, said that although his business is located three and a half miles from the flood hit area of Cockermouth, it has been experiencing problems travel-wise. "A trip to the cash and carry would normally take 20 minutes it’s now taking two and a half hours."