“We’re preparing for flood”: Chesterfield business owner and Tapton Terrace residents concerned as water level rises on River Rother

Olympia House Emporium on Brimington Road in Chesterfield only reopened four days ago after the business was severely damaged by floods during Storm Babet in October 2023.

But instead of celebrating the beginning of a new chapter, business owner Sofia Brown, 40, spent the morning anxiously setting up flood defences and moving items from bottom shelves due to fear of another flood.

This comes as heavy rain has been battering Derbyshire from the early hours of the morning, with an amber weather warning and flood alerts in place across the county.

Sofia said: “We’re preparing for flood. The river will burst it banks today.”

The water levels on Rive Rother have been increasing throughout the day, not only worrying Sofia, but also residents at a nearby Tapton Terrace – who lost their beloved neighbour Maureen Gilbert when the river burst its banks two years ago, leaving their houses underwater.

Lorna Squires, who lives at the Tapton Terrace, spent her morning moving valuables and ornaments upstairs in fear of potential flooding before leaving for work.

Tapton Terrace residents said they were living in constant fear and nothing had changed since their neighbour lost her life.

In September a prevention of future deaths report was issued after inquest into Mrs Gilbert’s death.

The report concluded that ‘future deaths will occur unless action is taken’ at Tapton Terrace.

Derbyshire County Council, Environment Agency and Minister for Water and Flooding are set to respond to concerns raised in the report in due course.

But residents, many of whom were affected by flooding both in 2007 and 2023, have raised concerns that their houses and life might be in danger due to flooding again if action is not taken immediately.