Flowing Spring pub remains open for business despite flood-hit car park

A PUB car park in Playhatch has been submerged by floodwater but the venue has reassured customers it is still open for business.

The Flowing Spring Pub, on the junction of Span Hill and Spring Lane, is on the floodplain, meaning the car park floods each winter forcing visitors to park by grass verges outside the pub.

Owner Nick Willson said: “It impacts the number of visitors because people think ‘Oh, we won’t stop there’, or they can’t believe we’re actually open.

“Customer numbers are pretty grim at the moment — this isn’t a great time of year anyway but with this on top, customers are minimal.”

In an effort to encourage locals to support the business, Mr Willson has started a lunchtime offer, and the team are spreading the word on social media.

The flooding is not an uncommon event, occurring every year since Mr Willson took over the pub in 2010.

But the duration of the flooding is unpredictable, ranging from a few weeks to five months.

The car park has space for 32 cars but publican said he is not expecting it to be dry soon.

“There’s more rain due and more water coming down stream. It’s a two or three day delay between a downpour and it impacting us.”

He added: “We are still trading and if people would stop and support us, it would be really great — we have great homemade food and lovely staff.”