'The water just came in. We were full and had to ask everyone to leave'

IT wasn't the best of starts. Seven weeks after new owners took over a Nottinghamshire pub, customers had to be evacuated due to flooding.

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

A freak downpour in 2023 resulted in rain pouring into the Little John Inn, leaving the restaurant side under water, up to the top of the skirting boards. It was April 29 - just a week before the pub was expected to be extra busy over the special bank holiday weekend celebrating King Charles' coronation.

Dan and Sandeep Thandi were forced to close the pub for a week, losing a sizeable amount of takings, while a huge cleanup operation began. While they were able to salvage the furniture, it took a further month to replace the carpet.