As life slowly begins to return to normal in Ross-on-Wye following Storm Dennis local shops and businesses have begun the long process of recovering from the devastation caused.

One of the worst-affected areas in town was Brookend Street where many of the shops and businesses had to quickly move items off the shop floor and board up the entrances as up to one foot of water submerged the street.

Speaking to the Ross Gazette, Dean Lucas of Lucas Motorycles said: “We have had bad flooding here at this end of Ross before but never from the riverside of the town.

‘‘We fortunately managed to move all our bikes in advance and clear the shop floor, so thankfully we were not too badly affected.

‘‘We managed to board up the front of the shop and we spent a long time during the night clearing up and doing what we could and even managed to open the next day.”

Other businesses nearby however were not so lucky. Black Canvas Antiques at the bottom end of Brookend Street were, like many, forced to close for a few days after the flooding. The store reopened on Thursday, February 27 and a spokesperson for the store confirmed that no damage was done to any antiques and furniture on the shop-floor, which had been moved prior to the flooding.

Kate Morris who owns Heavenly Health and Beauty Salon was another who was forced to close her business due to the flooding.

Speaking about the damage caused, Kate said: “Thankfully the only damage done was to the floor really, we managed to save a lot of the equipment including beds and chairs by moving them out or on to wooden blocks.

“We had a laminate floor so obviously all that has had to come up and be replaced. It is very frustrating but I am just glad we were able to salvage all the salon equipment, that was the most important thing.”

Following the floods, Kate also received support from other local beauticians and salons in the area, with many of them kindly offering her space available within their businesses.

She said:“A couple of the salons in Ross were kind enough to offer rooms to rent so I could maintain my business and I can not thank them enough for their generosity.

The community spirit here within Ross is amazing. The number of people - a lot of whom, I don’t even know - that have popped in since to see if they can do anything or just to ask how I am is incredible.

My neighbours in Brookend Street are the best neighbours you could ask for in a crisis. Everyone has come together and looked after each other.”

This included staff at the Architectural Store.

Since the flooding, Herefordshire Council have offered their support to any local businesses affected with the Business Flood Recovery Grant offering up to £2,500 for eligible afected businesses.

Councillor David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “I encourage anybody who has been affected by the flooding to apply for the financial assistance available, and would like to offer reassurance that we will get through this difficult time together.”

For more information please visit http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/floods