STAFF at a community local pub have been left heartbroken after torrential rain caused its cellar to flood, delaying its reopening.

The Hope and Anchor, in Chorley Old Road, Doffcocker, was preparing to open its doors for the first time in months on Monday in line with coronavirus restrictions easing and allowing indoor hospitality to open.

However, as landlady, Andrea Lockley, was preparing the bar by pulling drinks through the taps again, the rain started to pour in Bolton.

She went to check she had turned off the lights in the cellar before heading home, only to find water had begun filling the cellar.

“I was pouring a pint of every drink around 8pm to make sure we were ready for reopening the next day,” Andrea said.

“I went down to the cellar and could see the water as I got towards the bottom of the stairs. It was completely flooded, all the barrels were completely submerged, it was waist deep.

“We’re having to replace all of the stock that we got in especially for opening up and all the equipment with it is having to be replaced. There’s at least £10,000-worth of damage.

“Now we have to wait for the brewery to fix the cellar. Thankfully they’ve made us a priority so it shouldn’t take too long.”

Andrea said the fire service was in Doffcocker around 1am to deal with flooding that was flowing “like a river”.

The pub does not currently have a date for reopening, but hopes it will be by next week at the latest.

“I didn’t sleep at all over that night, it was absolutely heartbreaking to see. We had spent a long time preparing the bar and everything was ready on Sunday to finally welcome people back on Monday.

“Our locals have been so supportive, they were just as excited as we were to be back in the pub. So many people have rung up and asked if they can help us in any way.

“It’s a very strong community pub, a proper local, everyone has said they’ll be here straight away when we can open again.”

The Beehive, off the Beehive Roundabout, was also severely affected by Sunday night's rain.

They posted on their Facebook page: “We’re sorry we won’t be back as we hoped but mother nature has taken the decision out of our hands for now.