Shops still closed after 'severe' storm damage

5 hours ago

David Freezer

BBC News, Norfolk

Lightning in the skies above Poringland, near Norwich, during a storm that hit Norfolk in the early hours of Saturday

Draggie306/BBC Weather Watchers Lightning streaks across the sky above houses during a thunderstorm in June 2025 — Lightning in the skies above Poringland, near Norwich, during a storm that hit Norfolk in the early hours of Saturday

Businesses in a city centre remained closed as the damage caused by a weekend storm is dealt with.

Boots pharmacy is among the shops affected in Norwich by a torrential downpour during the early hours of Saturday.

The Waffle House restaurant and neighbouring jewellers Zelley, in St Giles Street, also both remain closed.

Bread Source, which has cafes across Norfolk, also had issues over the weekend at its bakery in the city. Many stores were either reopening on Tuesday, or hoping to be able to.

Boots on London Street in Norwich remained closed on Monday to ensure it was safe for staff and customers

David Freezer/BBC A Boots pharmacy and retail shop is pictured with shutters across its doors as a customer reads a notice explaining its closure in a window — Boots on London Street in Norwich remained closed on Monday to ensure it was safe for staff and customers

Boots on London Street was still closed on Monday afternoon.

A notice in its window informed customers the closure was temporary and directed them to the chain's three other shops in the city centre.

"We are closed for retail shopping. If you are exempt from prescription payment and you have received a text saying your prescription is ready, please knock, tell us your name and we will look locate your medication.

"[The] Castle Mall Boots will happily support until the store is safe for both colleagues and customers.

"We can only apologise for the inconvenience this has caused."

A Boots spokesman added that the company hoped to reopen the ground floor of the branch on Tuesday.

The Waffle House restaurant in St Giles Street, Norwich, has had to close for repairs

DavidFreezer/BBC The outside of a restaurant called The Waffle House shows a sign hanging outside and its curtains drawn due to it being closed — The Waffle House restaurant in St Giles Street, Norwich, has had to close for repairs

The Waffle House, which has operated in the city since 1978, also had a notice in its window.

Senior staff of the restaurant declined to comment when approached by the BBC, due to being too busy dealing with the damage, but did update customers on social media.

A statement explained: "Sorry, we are closed until further notice due to severe storm damage. Please watch social media for information on reopening."

At nearby Zelley a notice explained that flood damage has closed its offices today but added it would open as usual from 10:00 BST on Tuesday.

It is understood that several shops in the city had to clear up after flooding.

Bread Source, which has cafes in the city including at Norwich Cathedral, lost power at its Marriott Close bakery due to the storm, but had reopened.

This meant its cafes offering a "reduced range" and a statement said: "Stick with us and please be patient - it's been a long night."

BBC Look East was also affected, forcing changes to weekend TV bulletins, as rainwater damage to technical equipment was dealt with at its studio inside The Forum, meaning it had to take news bulletins from BBC London.

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