Padiham shop opens for first time since Christmas floods

A landmark Padiham store is set to re-open its doors for the first time since the devastating Boxing Day floods.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Sep 2016, 14:33 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2016, 14:46 BST
The River Calder bursts its banks during the height of the Boxing Day floods in PadihamThe River Calder bursts its banks during the height of the Boxing Day floods in Padiham
The River Calder bursts its banks during the height of the Boxing Day floods in Padiham

Harry Garlick electrical store will open its doors on Saturday, heralding the start of a new era for the business that has been established in the town for 20 years.

Company Director Mike Scothern said: “This is like a new beginning for the store after being closed for nine months. We have a loyal customer base in and around Padiham and we are hoping to welcome them back as we plan on this becoming our premier branch.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The entire stock in the shop, which will also be open on Sunday, was destroyed when torrential rain caused the River Calder to burst its banks, flooding shops, businesses and homes in and around the town centre.

Harry Garlick in Burnley Road, was one of the worst hit with the entire stock destroyed. In a superb show of community spirit, volunteers rallied to help those hardest hit.

Mr Scothern said: “Our shop was probably one of the worst hit and we were under at least two to three feet of water.

“The help we received from the volunteers on that day was fantastic. We had around a dozen people helping to lift stock out of the shop and load it into a skip.”

A family business established 50 years ago, Harry Garlick’s main store is in Barnoldswick with branches in Burnley, Clitheroe, Skipton and Blackburn.

Related topics:PadihamBarnoldswickClitheroeBlackburn