Downpatrick floods: Businesses still recovering one month on

Brendan Kearney sourced a temporary premises but he says the challenges are greater than that

Six weeks on from devastating flooding and Downpatrick is still trying to find its feet.

Independent businesses have noticed a considerable drop in the town's footfall, which is impacting them financially.

Brendan Kearney, of Oakley Fayre Café, managed to source a temporary premises after the floods.

But he said the challenges were greater than simply finding a building.

"Footfall has dropped significantly as we have lost our major retailer, Asda," he said.

"We have lost a lot of other major retailers in the town too so people aren't coming out to shop."

An application has been submitted to see a temporary Asda store set up in a carpark next to the existing store, which has been irreparably damaged.

It cannot come soon enough for Mr Kearney.

The planning permission says the current Asda store needs to be replaced with a new building

After the floods, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announced a £15m fund to support traders, which is being rolled out by councils.

But Mr Kearney said it did not cover all of his costs.

"We have received the £7,500 which obviously helped us get up and going again, but it obviously doesn't cover the cost of setting up a new premises.

"There's been a huge cost to us as a family and it really has stretched us out," he added.

"Our creditors have been very good to us. Our suppliers have been good to us and a lot of people have lent us tables and chairs and equipment which we are very grateful for."

Mr Kearney voiced disappointment at a lack of communication from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

"This £15m which was given out by the NIO still isn't reaching the business people of Newry, Downpatrick and Portadown," he said.

The NIO has stressed its role was getting the £15m released, with delivery through the Department for the Economy.

An NIO spokesperson said: "The NI Civil Service and local councils are leading on the delivery of the £15m of support provided by the NIO for businesses."

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In a statement Newry, Mourne and Down Council said, thus far, it had paid out about £840,000 to businesses from the £15m fund.

"The Flood Emergency Business Financial Support Grant assists occupiers of flooded businesses with immediate response and clean-up costs," the statement read.

"A second round of funding will require UK Treasury approval. Northern Ireland government departments are engaging with UK Treasury."

Shelley Teggart feels she is being penalised for having flood insurance

However, some business owners have been told they are not eligible for support.

Among them is Shelley Teggart, who owns Dilly Dally gift shop and Teggart and Sons hardware shop.

"Because we have flood insurance we weren't eligible to apply for the funding. We've now been responded to by the council to say we aren't eligible for any financial assistance," she said.

"We haven't received any interim payment (from the insurance) yet so anything we have done - setting up a new shop and the clean up operation etc - has all been off our own back."

Ms Teggart said despite this payments to HMRC, salaries and outgoings still have to be paid.

"We've lost tens of thousands of pounds. And although we've insurance, it now feels like we've been penalised for that because we don't know what the cover will be and when we will see that money."

Roger Pollen, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said plans were need to prevent further flooding issues

Roger Pollen, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said there was an information gap, both in terms of what further funding would be available but also what caused the flood and how future incidents could be prevented.

"Businesses here suffered catastrophic flooding," he said.

"They need to know if that is going to happen again or if it was the result of something not being done in the maintenance cycle. Until we get to the bottom of why it happened then we cant be sure that it isn't going to happen again."

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said that a review into the floods was underway.

"Preparation for a Multi-Agency Review into the October 2023 floods has begun," a statement read.

"This review is being co-ordinated by the Executive Office with DfI, Local Government and DfC (Department for Communities) leading on those aspects for which they are responsible."

Paul McCartan admits the sight of rain still brings a feeling of dread

Paul McCartan, who has been able to reopen one of his two shops, said the business community needs to remain positive.

"The other shop is completely gutted and we've no chance of reopening that one at present," he said.

"But we are open here. We've compressed into this smaller unit and we are getting a turn. We're not doing what we should be doing but half a loaf is better than no loaf."

However, Mr McCartan admitted the sight of rain still brings on a feeling of dread.

"There is no word of any dredging or clearing of the Quoile (river) or anything like that so we've been left in the dark there."

Newry, Mourne and Down Council has also confirmed that £119,000 has been paid out to households who suffered flooding since 30 October.

This is under the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance (SEFA).

It sees impacted households receive "an immediate payment of £1,000 as practical assistance to those who have suffered severe inconvenience to help make homes habitable as quickly as possible".

Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Council has confirmed it has sent £1,000 cheques to 80 households impacted by flooding.