Burst pipe floods restaurant for second time

13 hours ago

Angela Fergusonand

Paul O'Gorman,North West

The restaurant was previously flooded in June 2023, owner Salique Meah says

Salique Meah Floodwater covers the floor of a lounge seating area, with a curved dark sofa, a red armchair and two small round tables partially surrounded by standing water and scattered leaves. — The restaurant was previously flooded in June 2023, owner Salique Meah says

A restaurant owner has said he got "deja vu" when he was told one of his venues had been flooded after a water pipe burst for the second time in three years.

Salique Meah, 38, was alerted by one of his employees at Nellie Restaurant and Bar in Scarisbrick, Lancashire, at about 03:00 BST on Tuesday.

He said the venue was previously flooded on 26 June 2023 but this time the damage was worse, with the water up to 3ft (0.9m) in places, and there was not a single thing that he could salvage.

Water firm United Utilities apologised to the owners of three properties who had been affected by the flooding - which was caused by a burst water main- and said it was supporting them.

The flood was caused by a burst pipe, United Utilities says

Salique Meah Floodwater surrounds the entrance of a building, with muddy water covering the outdoor seating area and reflecting the doorway, walls and nearby structures. A hedge and patio umbrellas are visible on either side of the flooded area. — The flood was caused by a burst pipe, United Utilities says

Meah, from Oldham, said there was "lots of water everywhere in the building" and it would cost "a lot" in terms of lost business.

He said he had to close the restaurant for 10 months last time this happened.

The water reached the second or third step of the stairs to the first floor of the building, with the kitchen, lounge bar area, restaurant, customer toilets and cellar all flooded, he said.

Meah, who also owns restaurants in Lancaster, Much Hoole near Preston and Billinge, said the burst water main was about 900m (3,000 ft) up the hill from the restaurant on Smithy Lane in Scarisbrick.

He said it was the same water pipe which had burst during the 2023 incident.

Meah says the burst water main was about 900m uphill from the restaurant

Salique Meah Floodwater covers the ground outside and extends through an open doorway into a building. Muddy water surrounds a potted palm plant beside the entrance, while debris and reflections are visible on the flooded surface. — Meah says the burst water main was about 900m uphill from the restaurant

A United Utilities statement said: "We're very sorry that three properties have experienced internal flooding due to the burst water main.

"We recognise the distress and disruption this will cause to these customers."

The water firm said its specialist teams had been on site liaising with those impacted to ensure they had the support they needed.

"We have completed the repairs to the burst main and restored water to all customers," a spokesperson added.

The road will remain closed for a few more days to allow for reinstatement work to take place.

Despite the flooding, Meah said he was determined to go ahead with a charity fundraising event planned for Sunday to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

He said he would be cycling about 94 miles between all of his four restaurants and then on to his home town of Oldham.

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