Family-run Read Garden Centre near Burnley re-opened for business this week following severe damage by floods on Boxing Day.

Owners Sue and Gary Procter bought the business just two years ago, only to see the unprecedented flooding wash away their hard work. They estimate stock losses at around £50,000. The site is close to the River Calder. 

The couple run the centre with their sons Dane (24) and Steven (20).

The local community helped to get the business back up and running after family friend Jackie Laxton stepped in to organise a clean-up campaign. “This is a small family business and because of that people have really wanted to help us,” she told the Clitheroe Today website. “Gary and Sue felt like they had lost everything but the response from the community has been fantastic to help us to start to re-build and I have to take my hat off to the people who have come to our aid.”

It was the first time the centre had been flooded for 50 years.

The floods washed away glasshouses, including the centre’s café, as well as plants, bird seed and logs.

The couple were this week asking for donations of materials like plaster board, skirting boards and other building products to help re-build the centre. Sue Procter told GTN Xtra: “We are in the process of getting the place up and running it's been amazing how everyone has helped us out with our needs.

You can direct offers of help to Sue on 07734 955747 or Jackie Laxton on 07729 634764.