Pub closed by summer flooding back in business

The Shoulder of Mutton pub in Mytholmroyd, near Hebden Bridge, is back in business after being shut by the flooding caused by one of the wettest summers the UK has ever seen.

The pub’s owners have put the finishing touches to the exterior of the pub and restaurant by hanging up its new sign having refurbished the interior.

Lynn Hartley, co-owner of the pub, said: “We are thrilled to be finally open again for business. It seems like we’ve been waiting for a long time to announce that we are officially open, but it has been worth it.

“The new fixtures and fittings look fantastic and you would never have known there was around 3ft of water gushing through the property.

“I want to thank people in the village that came to our rescue on the day after we were evacuated.

“Family, friends and even strangers rallied around to help us bucket out water from the premises.”

The pub was closed in June when the Elphin stream, which runs along the bottom of the pub’s garden, burst its banks, flooding the ground floor.

Six months later and after a complete refurbishment, including new flooring, seats, tables and bar, the Shoulder of Mutton is now open to customers.

The only salvageable features from the flood-damaged pub which have remained are the wooden doors.

The Shoulder of Mutton was not the only business to be affected in the village of Mytholmroyd, where almost half of businesses were severely affected by the worst flooding recorded since 1952.

David Croft, account manager at the Black Sheep Brewery said: “We are really pleased that the Shoulder of Mutton Inn has been able to reopen to its customers.

“They are a prominent customer of Black Sheep and we are happy to be supporting the pub as it re-opens to serve its community.”

The lost trade from tourists, decline in people venturing out and cancelled outdoor events has had a heavy economic cost for Yorkshire, with the total bill thought to have run to millions of pounds,

Several agricultural shows, including the Great Yorkshire Show, were curtailed or called off, and a planned music festival at Leeds’ Harewood House was halted after the ground became saturated.

The Prince of Wales visited Hebden Bridge last July to see what could be done to help residents and businesses in the wake of the devastating floods.