Towsure car park gates in the flood of 2007 - by gin_soak on flickr
This June marks 10 years since Towsure was hit by the 2007 Sheffield Floods after the swollen River Loxley behind the store heading to meet the River Don burst its banks, reaching chest height towards the rearmost parts of the building.
The flooding closed our store for several months as the interior was completely gutted and re-fitted - finally opening during the winter of 2007
On 25th June the River Don burst its banks following a sustained period of very heavy rain described as "the day the rain just didn't stop", causing widespread flooding in the surrounding area with nearby Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough football ground flooded under 6 feet of water. Many roads were filled with fast flowing waters, the RAF being called into action to rescue a number of people by helicopter in the Brightside & Attercliffe areas. Around Hillsborough, the River Loxley, a tributary of the Don became swollen and over topped at Malin Bridge; Towsure's outdoor leisure store being on the banks.
Our distribution centre in the Neepsend area was also hit by flooding, being close to the River Don. Some minor flooding was expected around lunchtime as it became clear that the river was rising rapidly; however no-one expected it to continue rising relentlessly - a notice was placed on our website advising of anticipated minor delays, expecting perhaps a short delay to courier collection of our mail-order parcels
The scene that greeted us the following day after the store and distribution centre had been evacuated for the day was a sorry site of devastation with ruined stock, shelving and fittings strewn across the store.
The morning after the flood, in Towsure Sheffield
We were of course conscious that this was only stock and shop fittings - as a number of local residents were looking at similar scenes in their own homes. Sadly across Sheffield the flooding also claimed two lives.
The power of the flood waters was evident, with quite large, heavy items having been displaced some distance around the store
A massive clean-up operation began with staff and directors alike donning wellies and overalls to firstly clear the millions of pounds in ruined stock, with 2 teams working at our distribution warehouse and at our store.
The store would remain closed until late 2007 whilst a huge refurbishment project was in progress
The store would remain closed for some months whilst a massive refurbishment programme began; however our first priority was to re-open our mail order operation. This was no small task as being close to the River Don, the distribution centre had also been affected - although unlike the store with no structural, wiring or major fitments damaged.
Rutland Road, adjacent to our distribution warehouse on the 25th June, the day of the flood
After a few days cleaning up the warehouse our mail order operations resumed and a "catalogue shop" was set up at the warehouse enabling purchasing, whilst focus then turned to rebuilding the store interior. Most of the interior fitments were completely ripped out, from floor to ceiling.
Our awning showroom being prepared for renovation
A new ceiling and new lighting were also installed.
After the new floor surface was laid in the main showroom area, new laminate flooring was laid in the cafe and outdoor clothing departments, and new carpet throughout the rest of the store.
New flooring laid in the store
Assembling all the new shelving was a long task but we could see the shop starting to take shape again, as the department areas were assembled.
New departmentalised shelving configuration beginning to take shape
Once the shelving was all in position, the plumbers and electricians had finished their work, the mammoth task of re-stocking began, with our entire, and vast outdoor leisure range including barbecues...
Gas barbecues on display ready for re-opening in late 2007
camping lanterns...
Camping lanterns on display in Towsure
outdoor clothing...
Outdoor clothing in the revamped Towsure store, 2007
and so much more. An extension to our awning showroom was also included as phase 2 of the project, which was opened later in 2008
Awning showroom was phase 2, once the main showroom had re-opened
A local pub, the 'Fat Cat' in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield has a marker indicating the depth of water at their premises near the River Don during the floods of 2007 and the disastrous "Great Sheffield Flood" of Industrial Revolution era 1864
During September 2007, a sale of a small amount of salvageable stock proved incredibly popular - although millions of pounds of stock was completely destroyed, what was savable with a little bit of cleaning, or reproofing, was snapped up by bargain hunters - in thankfully brighter sunnier weather than June!
The Great Flood Sale at Towsure, Sheffield
- A full set of photos from the floods, renovation and sale can be viewed in our Sheffield Flood 2007 collection on flickr
