“We are open for business” - Hebden Bridge shop owner praises town’s resilience after flooding

Floods again struck Hebden Bridge after it was besieged by heavy rain, but businesses showed their resilience by re-opening in the days that followed.

And Rachel Jones, who owns Weighsted, a zero-waste store that sells environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable products on Bridge Gate, has called on the public to show their support for the community by visiting the town as they normally would.
“Come on guys, get down here and have a look at how positive we’ve been, look at how far we’ve come,” she said.

“Everything on the news is so negative, ‘poor Hebden Bridge’, and a lot of pity, ‘we’re so sorry for what’s happened’, but we need people to come here and spend some money and keep us open.

“I thought I wouldn’t be open for a fortnight but I was back open within four days.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to people who have helped. I don’t even know some of the people who have helped.

“I can’t tell you the amount of people that have been round and said ‘can I help?’, and people with an hour in their lunch break and said ‘let me do something’.”

Rachel’s shop was flooded by two feet of water, meaning she had to throw away some of her stock.
“But I designed the shop so that it would be flood resilient - everything is above where I thought any flood water would be, I’ve got plaster that’s flood resistant, there’s tiles on the floor rather than carpet or wood.

“I’ve come out of it quite well but some people haven’t - but they have still re-opened.

“Mine and many other businesses have managed to re-open again quickly. Everyone is so determined.

“We are open for business, come here and be inspired by people who have worked so hard.”