Call for action after rain almost floods Skegness shops

Sandbags outside a shop in Roman Bank, Skegness, during the rain. Photo: Barry Robinson.

The downpour on Friday has been a problem affecting shops along a stretch of Roman Bank for years - but the latest incident has been particularly worrying because the rain was not heavy.

"I managed to keep the water out because I kept sweeping it back," said Barry Robinson of Lite Bites cafe. "I let the hairdressers next door have my sandbags from the previous time we had a problem like this.

"However, it's getting worse. The rain wasn't particularly heavy this time, just steady through the day, and it nearly came in.

Rainwater levels rising on the pavement along Roman Bank in Skegness. Photo: Barry Robinson.

"The problem is there is only one drain serving a number of shops from the TSB bank to a closed pharmacy on the corner of Prince George Street and all the water from the pavements and the buildings goes into to it.

"An additional problem is a drain on the roundabout near us - it looks so badly blocked there are plants growing out of it.

"I've reported the problem to Lincolnshire County Council and been told they will look at it after the Roman Bank improvement work is finished - but that's another seven months and we have the winter weather to face.

"We need something done now."

Concern the drains are blocked sparked by plants growing out of them. Photo: Barry Robinson.

Having to battle rain water getting into her salon has been another blow for the owner of the newest businesses in Skegness - Amber's hair and beauty salon.

Amber Rivers-Scott opened her salon in February and had just three weeks trading before the lockdown. Although the salon re-opened in June, Amber was unable to start work until July because she looks after the beauty side of the business.

"I have four staff and it's been really tough start for us," she said. "We were impacted by Covid-19 and now have the worry of the shop flooding.

"Even though we had sandbags it didn't help on Friday because we had to move them for customers.

"The water still got in and the doormat was wet.

"The worry is when we close at 5.30pm, if it rains we don't know what we will find when we return in the morning."

The Standard has asked Lincolnshire County Council for a statement and is awaiting the authority's response.