Framlingham shop lost 3,000 pairs of shoes to flood damage

A Suffolk shop that was hit by flooding has had to dispose of 3,000 pairs of shoes.

Dave and Donna Hammond, owners of Castle Shoes in Framlingham, were finally able to assess stock last week, four months after Storm Babet devastated the town.

The shop has now been cleared to allow damp treatment to begin with a possible reopening in August.

"The stress levels have been unbelievable," Mr Hammond said.

It took four days to remove all the shoes, he added.

Framlingham was badly affected by flooding in October, with 70 homes affected as well as businesses.

The couple put sandbags around the shop but by 11:00 BST on 20 October they were told by the local council to evacuate.

After trying to move stock as high off the floor as possible, they left, returning the next day to devastation.

Mr Hammond said: "It was devastating because we tried to move everything, but the bottom cardboard boxes got wet and the shoes tumbled down into the water and we lost it anyway."

Boxes and shoes had become mouldy in the damp conditions and last week 3,000 pairs were discarded for recycling.

Mr Hammond said the stress caused by the flooding had been "unbelievable".

Mr Hammond said: "It's been a shoe shop for over 100 years. When you speak to people of an older generation they brought their children here and now grandchildren.

"People have got fond memories... it's totally part of the fabric of Framlingham.

"The local community have been fantastic."

The property is currently being treated for damp and mould and will need to be completely dried out before renovation can begin.

The couple received £2,500 from the government's flood relief fund but said it "doesn't scratch the surface".

Mr Hammond said he hoped work on the building would be completed in time for "school shoe season" in August.

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