20/02/2009 - Flood-hit pub 'best in Britain'
A pub which was at the centre of havoc caused by the devastating floods in 2007 has been named as the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) pub of the year.
The Kelham Island Tavern, in Sheffield, has staged a dramatic recovery since the River Don burst it banks 20 months ago wrecking the pub's floor and ceiling forcing it to close for six weeks.
But now CAMRA has singled the Tavern out as a "true gem" and highlighted its unique "sub-tropical beer garden" in the heart of industrial Sheffield.
Licensee Trevor Wraith bought the semi-derelict pub 2001 and reopened it the following year, but the floods in June 2007 saw him close the business to repair and restore the building.
Mr Wraith said amazing support from the local community helped the business recover.
He said: "That day when the water came in was just incredible. It started with water running down the street but you could see it was going to get much worse.
"The funny thing was that it was difficult to get the customers to evacuate. They just looked out and said 'it's just a bit of water running down the side of the road' and wanted to keep on drinking."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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