Derbyshire bar owner facing thousands in flood costs blasts 'pathetic' £500 council support

Makeshift flood defences were not enough to stop The Tipsy Toad on Bakewell Road in Matlock flooding for the second time in less than two years on Thursday after heavy rain fell across the county.

Matlock-based Benjamin Bowler, 36, who has run the venue for four years, said up to six inches of water flooded the bar, which has caused £1,000 worth of damage and counting.

He added: “At the moment it’s just the woodwork that’s damaged. Until it all dries out properly we won’t know the [full] damage.

"It could take up to one week.”

Benjamin’s insurance excess skyrocketed from £250 to £10,000 after the bar flooded in November 2019. That, he said, means his only option is to pay for any flood damage costs himself, despite barely making a profit since.

“It only takes a few of the fridges to go out and then it’s in the thousands,” added Benjamin, who also owns The Toad Tails and Ales in Matlock Bath.

Derbyshire County Council has made £100,000 available to help residents and businesses affected by the flooding.

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of the local authority, said: “We understand the impact an event like this can have on residents and small businesses, particularly whilst managing the challenges of the pandemic.”

One-off payments of £104 for households and £500 for businesses with 50 or fewer employees are available.

On the offer, Benjamin said: “Is that it? That’s ridiculous. Where’s the other £100,000 going to, considering we were the only ones that went under?

"It’s pathetic. It’s all I can say. I don’t know what they expect that to cover.”

Benjamin said £500 would not be enough to employ the bar’s five staff members on a normal day.

On the £104 payment, he added: “What’s that going to help them out with? It’s not even a food shop nowadays.”

In response, a council spokesperson said: "We have acted immediately to help residents and businesses with this emergency funding which we hope will help them to meet any immediate costs they may incur due to flooding.

"Applications will be fast-tracked so the payments should go out quickly to those successfully applying."

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