Many businesses are beginning the enormous task of cleaning-up following Storm Dennis at the weekend.
Some of the worst-hit areas include the village of Nantgarw and Pontypridd in South Wales, with many businesses finding their offices without power and office furniture completely ruined.
Despite the devastating scenes, offers of help from businesses in the community are coming in hourly. There are offers of free temporary office space and use of onsite facilities including, kitchen use, desk space and wifi.
This was the scene at ARC Group HQ in Treforest on Sunday.
Posting on Linkedin, the Managing Director of ARC Group, Antony Richardson, described how businesses in the area had been affected by the flooding. Antony said: “Our entire ground floor and all its equipment is ruined and vehicles and classrooms have been submerged in water – we are currently in the process of a big-clean up, and we are trying to save as much as we can.”
Despite the impact, Antony goes on to say that they remain undeterred, and that they have measures in place to keep the business functioning. All of their courses are still running, and advise people to get in touch with them via their switchboard number 01443 842856 or email [email protected].
What there is certainly no shortage of, is the offer of help from the Welsh business community. For every post about a business finding themselves affected, there is an abundance of comments with offers of support, commercial space and more.
We have pulled together a brief list of those businesses offering help for those who need it.
Businesses offering help in South Wales
- South Wales Chamber of Commerce, Newport
- Quantum Advisory, Cardiff.
- Focused Recruitment, Ystrad Mynach
- Welsh ICE, Caerphilly
- Hub XV, Cardiff
- The Commercial Team, Cardiff
- James Douglas, Pontypridd
⚠️ Has your business been affected by #StormDennis?
We are offering support for businesses affected by the flooding.
The Chamber has a small number of desks available. Wifi included, just bring down your own equipment.
Contact [email protected] for more information. pic.twitter.com/tsQQhrJFt1
— Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid (@cw_seswm) February 17, 2020
With many homes and businesses still assessing the damaged caused by the rising water, the Welsh ICE campus is open to any businesses that have been displaced and are in need of a place to work.
Campus Director, Jamie McGowan said the Welsh ICE community were keen to help: “We’ve got a few vacant offices in our Lodge building at the moment that are all furnished and have internet access, so it only made sense to offer them to local businesses who may be looking for somewhere to base themselves while they figure out the next steps. We’ve also got plenty of space in our coworking areas for the one or two people teams so that even though their own offices may be out of action, they can stay open for business.
“Community is hugely important to us at Welsh ICE, and that extends across the valleys and the surrounding areas. We’d urge any businesses or individuals, who perhaps work from home, that have been affected by the floods, to give us a call – we’ve got the tea and coffee on and are happy to give them a free home until they are back on their feet.”
Although the severe weather associated with Storm Dennis has passed, the Met Office has warned of further wet and windy weather throughout this week.
With much of the ground around South Wales saturated from heavy rain over the last two weeks, further severe weather warnings are in force for some of the worst hit areas. Yellow National Severe Weather warnings for rain have been issued for southern and north west Wales on Wednesday evening and through Thursday.
Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Further rain will arrive on Wednesday evening and this is likely to become prolonged and possibly heavy over areas of high ground. For example, there is a chance that 60mm of rain could fall in parts of south Wales over 24 hours. With the ground already saturated there is a chance of further flooding, members of the public should check their flood risk and stay up to date with flood warnings from Natural Resources Wales, SEPA, NI Direct and the Environment Agency.”
