Flood-hit traders frustrated by compensation delays

Almost 100 flood-hit businesses are still waiting on compensation payments more than six months on from major floods.

Heavy rain led to extensive flooding in several parts of counties Down and Armagh in late October and early November.

Stormont's Department for the Economy told BBC News NI it has so far approved compensation claims for 20 businesses which "will receive payment this week".

A spokesman said 83 applications "have been sent to the loss assessor for detailed assessment".

But some flood-hit business owners in Newry have questioned why it has taken so long to process payments.

Sugar Island, in the centre of the city, was among the worst hit areas when Newry Canal burst its banks during heavy rain in October.

Many of its traders did not have flood insurance and some have spent tens of thousands of pounds or more to reopen.

Sugar Island shop owner Paul McCartan estimates the flood has cost him between £230,000 and £250,000.

The Georgian building, which has housed the McCartan Bros menswear shop since the 1970s, was engulfed in several feet of floodwater.

"It's been a very difficult six months with a lot of sleepless nights," he told BBC News NI.

A few weeks ago he received "an offer" from the compensation scheme, but has not yet received the money.

He said the delay was a "huge frustration" given the promises of help made at the time.

"People have been very supportive around Newry, and they want to see you back in the high street, but at this minute in time that has all been funded by ourselves."

Mr McCartan had to ask his bank for help while waiting on his claim to be processed.

"I'm lucky that I have had my offer. There are plenty of other businesses that are still dealing with the loss assessor," he added.

• In the immediate aftermath eligible businesses could apply for rates relief and grants of up to £7,500.

• In February, the Department for the Economy and two local councils opened the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme, offering up to £100,000 per eligible business.

• A total of 110 businesses applied to the scheme.

• Of these 14 claims were rejected as ineligible and 17 have been asked to provide more information.

• Some 20 businesses are due to receive money this week and will get a share of £1.24m.

• The 43 businesses, not eligible for flood support payments, will receive a share of £152,500 in "hardship" payments this week.

The compensation scheme's settlements are capped at £100,000 per business, which would mean Mr McCartan must still absorb a loss of about £150,000.

"We had insurance, but not flood insurance," he explained - a risk many of his Sugar Island neighbours also face.

Despite the difficulties, he is relieved to get back into his own store.

"It's good to be home," he said.

But having reinvested so much to reopen, he is fearful the 64-year-old family business could sink financially if there is another flood.

"I would be in a position where that could just literally put your lights out," he said.

Around the corner at Sugarhouse Quay, Synge and Byrne's cafe reopened last month after a major refurbishment.

It was swamped with canal water and smelly silt on the night of 30 October.

"The water came in and it rose to 1.5m (almost 5ft)," said Adrian Garvey, co-owner of the cross-border cafe firm.

"So that meant all electrical equipment was destroyed obviously, all furniture destroyed, all the tiles on the floors lifted."

He said the building needed "a complete gutting out - remove everything, pretty much dump everything and start again".

The cafe owner said it cost his firm £168,000 to replace what they lost.

They received £7,500 from an initial emergency grant fund but that was spent hiring skips and workers to rip out damaged fittings.

Synge and Byrne also applied to the enhanced compensation scheme.

"We've been told we should get it - we've yet to see anything," Mr Garvey said.

"We're still out a lot of money but unfortunately we have very, very little choice," he added.

"We either lost all the money - lost everything and didn't reopen - or we spent what we had to spend to get the business up and running again so we could hopefully avail of the grant."

Despite still being unable to get flood insurance, the firm has invested heavily in its Sugar Island refurbishment.

They have hired extra staff, installed more seating and extended the cafe's opening hours.

"What is it they say? Out of every problem comes a silver lining," Mr Garvey said.

The cafe shares the open-plan building with the Lorsha Design shop, owned by artist and designer Loretta Gallagher.

Her shop is upstairs so it was not flooded, but she could not trade from the building for months because of ongoing repair works.

Ms Gallagher also received £7,500 from the initial support fund, but said she was later ordered to repay it because her business was not directly affected.

"Because I had received that and they are saying that I did not deserve it - that I wasn't impacted - that negated me from any future funding," she said.

BBC News NI asked Newry, Mourne and Down Council if it had carried out any investigations or remedial works along Newry Canal since October’s floods.

Its spokeswoman said a multi-agency review into the extensive flooding across south Down and parts of County Armagh "continues to make progress".

"Review findings and recommendations will be published as soon as possible in the summer.”