Open for business

Pupils at Butterflies Pre-school, Priory Road

Hull businesses are looking back on a difficult year since the floods – but many have been praised for their resilience in getting back to normal.
It's estimated that around 100 companies were flooded last June, and that more than 1,300 were indirectly affected through staff absences and lost business.
"When it came to the crunch a lot of Hull businesses have got themselves back on their feet very quickly, and got the city back moving again," says Tony Cosgrove, chair of Hull Business Forum.
"It's been amazing how workers have pulled together, especially when they were living in caravans yet still having to carry on as normal." Meanwhile, recovery is almost complete at many of the worst hit businesses, including the Hanson Electrical store, on Willerby Road, which was flooded with 20 inches of water.
"It's been a difficult year replacing stock and there's still a little bit of work to do with the display stands in the showroom," says store manager Tony Codd.
"But one of the positive outcomes is that we've taken the chance to improve the layout of the shop and offices - and that could improve the way our business operates in the future." At Butterflies Pre-school, on Priory Road – which was flooded with three inches of water - some staff and pupils are still living in caravans.
And there's still some work to do in the school's garden area.
But the school itself was back up and running just three days after the floods last June.
"We had to get up and running quickly because the parents needed us," says owner Jo Atkinson.
"They themselves were flooded and the kids needed some normality. "Our staff too have been great.
We know their circumstances have been difficult at home but they've just carried on."

See pages 10 and 11 for steps being taken to manage floods in the future.