Cocktail bar boss hits out at moaning customers after flash-flooding forced businesses to close
A cocktail bar boss in Cheltenham has rallied around the business community after witnessing customers moaning about closures due to flash flooding on Friday (September 20). Staff at Clarence Social in Clarence Parade was not happy with what other hospitality venues had gone through due to the bad weather as the roads nearby were shut due to flooding.
Describing Clarence Parade as a "lake", General Manager Emma O'Connor says a power cut did affect the venue but overall "we were lucky to escape the worst of the weather." Posting on Instagram, Clarence Social said: "What the actual hell is wrong with some people??
"We don't normally post like this but Peeps...get your heads in check!! Thank you for all our fab messages of support. Imagine getting messages moaning that bookings were cancelled or people with zero empathy asking why a place had to close because they would have come in anyway."
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They go onto say: "Ummmmm … flooded drains and toilets, sewage outside, flooded stairs and cellars, spoiled stock, no tills not to mention the safety of everyone when water and electrics meet."
The positive outcome did come with help from BMJ Electrical Services who helped Clarence Social out, but Emma's frustration lies in the fact that other community venues experienced rude customers.
"We were fine but it was on the streets where we saw so many people moaning about other places who had to close," Emma said. "A lot of venues had to shut but we saw lots of people not understanding why. We all want to stay open and if anybody thinks venues voluntarily close that is never the case. More people should have empathy."
Describing the flash weather as "quick" and "the worst flash weather I've ever experienced", Emma adds that the behaviour of people has led us to "rally around our hospitality community. It is not great for any of us to have to shut, especially on a Friday night."
For the latest on the weather today, see our live blog.
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