The retail park in my local town is always quite busy. However, during Storm Babet in October, 2023, a nearby river burst its banks and flooded the entire area including my local Costa Coffee shop, which was situated upstairs in NEXT. Thankfully, even though the coffee shop escaped water damage, all of the store had to be closed so they could repair the damage. It was even more sad as Christmas was approaching so the shops lost a lot of money. I didn't venture down to the retail park for obvious reasons, plus I can't swim! We did make the national news and appeared on many social media sites. I think @PolishTurdTV from Twitter captured it very well. Source
It had only just opened when we paid a visit so there wasn't anyone else in. I'm sure trade will pick up as it is a very popular retail park with free parking for three hours (as long as you don't walk off the site or you will get fined).
We had a couple of lattes, one with oat milk and some scrumptious toasted teacakes with lots of butter. Costa do a good toasted teacake and at least the wait was over.
They were still working on the outside of the shops so we got a lovely view of the skips outside! Apart from 2022 when the shops closed for a few days it hasn't flooded this bad since 2007. Unless something is done about it I'm sure it will happen again. Let's hope nature doesn't strike back!
