‘Total devastation’ for Ahoghill businesses as flood clean-up continues
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Ahoghill Costcutter manager Walter Millar with the debris he removed from a blocked drain during the flooding.
An hour and a half of flash flooding was all it took to bring a number a Ahoghill businesses to the brink of total devastation last week (Saturday, August 16).
As many of us returned to life as normal, shopkeepers and their staff were left to count to cost and to begin the slow clean-up process.
At the Costcutter convenience store tills and a computer were destroyed beyond repair, fridges were ruined and, as a result, their contents rendered useless.
The timber floor at a hair salon had to be ripped up after it was left soaked and destroyed.
Last Wednesday The Guardian visited the village and spoke to the shop owners who are now trying to rebuild their trade.
Walter Millar, manager at the Costcutter, said a conservative estimate of the damage to his business alone would be between £50-£60,000.
“It has been absolute devastation, we are really struggling. I don't have words to describe the effect this has had on the village," he said.
He said that businesses in the town were struggling even before the flood hit.
“The economic situation in the village has been poor enough as it is. 25-years the business has been in the village and we have never seen anything like this," he said.
‘Weren't prepared'
“We just weren't prepared for anything like this. We have lost all our frozen and chilled stock, we have lost our tills and our back room computer."
Walter explained that one till alone costs £10,000 and although they have had replacements delivered they are losing money each day the shop is closed.
The staff have turned up for work as normal and are helping with the clean-up.
“We are making good progress with the clean-up and we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel," he said.
