Star date: 31st December 2015

LOWER BROUGHTON BUSINESSES LOOKING TO A BRIGHTER NEW YEAR

"It was like the river had passed through" Joe, K's Chemist

After the Boxing Day deluge that turned Mocha Parade into an extension of the River Irwell, shop owners and staff have been clearing up in an effort to re-open as soon as possible. Yesterday, the doctor's, the chemists, the food shop and the off licence were open, while others were still struggling with the flood fall-out.

"Every floor surface and first shelf was covered in mud and there was the debris of stock everywhere which had been moved by the water...it was like the river had passed through it" explained Joe from K's Chemist which was engulfed by around eighteen inches of water...

Full details here...

By early evening on Boxing Day, Mocha Parade looked like an extension of the River Irwell with the car park and shops completely engulfed by water which had swept in from the burst banks a few yards away.

Yesterday, after a two day clear up, some shops began to open as Salford Council staff cleaned the public spaces and shored up the drains.

When Joe Wagner, of K's Chemist, arrived at the post-flood premises he was shocked by the devastation... "Every floor surface and first shelf was covered in mud and there was the debris of stock everywhere which had been moved by the water" he recalled "In the dispensary and stock room anything that wasn't shelved was ruined. We even got a broken window from the pressure of the water...it was like the river had passed through it. 

"It was very bad, messy and smelly but we had eight of us here from 8am until 7:30pm clearing up the other day and we've managed to open" he added "The surgeries that suffered can't dispense prescriptions, and are telling patients to go to their chemists, so we're trying to get medications. It's hard but we can do it. It must be devastating for the residents who were flooded.

"I thought the flood wouldn't come here but the water was about eighteen inches high in the shop" Joe explained "We'll soldier on, keep cleaning up, hopefully get a new carpet in a couple of days and get stock levels back up."

Next door, Optieye Care opticians couldn't open yesterday as staff struggled with the piled debris of equipment, while workmen ripped out rotten skirting boards and flooring. Further along the Parade, Dr Kassam - who the Salford Star interviewed in his soaked surgery the day after the flood - was open for emergencies yesterday...

"It was hard work cleaning up on Sunday and Monday but local people have suffered more than we have" he said "We're seeing patients manually, without computers as our IT was damaged in the flood. Our CCG [Clinical Commissioning Group] has been very supportive and helpful and they are sending an IT person and replacement computers. As soon as the computers are working we will see as many patients as possible."

Without computers, the surgery can't know what prescriptions patients are on and so are linking with chemists that do have records for short term supplies... "People are very helpful and understanding as they know we have been affected" Dr Kassam explained "So far we are managing. We're all working as a team."

With warnings going out on social media about possible diseases caused by flood water, Dr Kassam says he has only seen two young people involved in the clear up who had flu-like symptoms but he was able to reassure them that the illness wasn't linked.

On the day after the flood, the Salford Star was also taken on a tour of the flood ravaged stock room at Mocha Wines, where Christmas stocks of crisps, chocolates and drinks were strewn in the mud. Yesterday the shop opened for the first time...

"We are trying to trade" said Waz "The gas, electric and lottery are still down and we're waiting for them to come out and reconnect it. Other than that it's just the smell; it's on the whole parade, although we keep mopping up."

Anything that was in cardboard boxes was trashed by the water and Waz reckons he was "lucky" to escape with around £2,500 worth of lost stock... "The Council came round the other day and did mention something about some sort of a fund but didn't give a figure and said they were waiting for the Government."

Having been hit by the flood and years of neglect, the shop keepers are now hoping that Mocha Parade will finally get its new start in 2016...

Salford City Council has a dedicated email address for flood hit businesses to register need for assistance:  businessfloodassistance@salford.gov.uk

See also previous Salford Flood related articles...

* Salford Council £500 emergency payment to flood victims - click here

*Salford Flood Support By The Community, For The Community – click here

* When The Going Gets Tough, Salford Gets Going... - click here

* Salford Flood Clear Up Begins Amidst Recriminations - click here

* Floods Devastate Lower Broughton - click here

* Salford floods as River Irwell Rises - click here