Clean up begins in Rochdale town centre

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The clean up has begun in Rochdale town centre after Saturday's flood.

Rochdale town centre was literally underwater for most of Saturday as heavy rain fell throughout Friday (25 December) night and as the River Roch burst its banks.

My Local on Smith Street will have to completely write off their stock and start again from scratch.

Store manager Simon Rowe said: “It was horrible. It was just like a big puddle following you around.”

Staff at the shop were working when the water started to make its way in.

Jonathan Rons, Central Operations Director, said: “The staff did a great job. As soon as they knew there was a problem they waded through the water and got everyone out and shut the doors. They did an amazing job. We are now going to have to write off our stock and start again. We don’t know how long it will take though.”

The basement in Dallas Fried Chicken was badly affected with flood water taking out much of the takeaways stock and fridges.

Manager Bakhtyar Hamma said: “The whole basement was flooded. The water managed to get to the top of one of our tall fridges and knock it over. There was water in the kitchen but we managed to get that out.”

The Flying Horse Hotel offered free accommodation to those who were affected by the floods.

Reece Cole who was working at The Flying Horse last night (Saturday 26 December) said: “We had about 30 calls last night and it was from everyone from young people to people with young children and the elderly. We were then full for the night and we have an empty hotel again this morning.”

Owner Ben Boothman added: “All our rooms have been taken for today by those in need. I wish we could just help more people.”

A contact centre has also been set up in Rochdale Town Hall offering warm food and hot drinks to those who need them, as well as offering advice to anyone affected by the floods.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “We've continued cleaning up in flood affected areas and are providing support where we can.

"There is a lot of slurry on the pavements in some areas that will take a few goes with the street sweepers to pick up.

There are three rest centres open at the Town Hall, Gower Street Youth Base and Saint Barnabas Church in Littleborough. We helped move residents from care homes and also sent food to others that have been without power.

We are trying to identify all those affected by flooding to make sure we can get resources to them and we are also sourcing skips to put in affected areas and will send lorries round to collect waste from properties.”