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A hotel owner in the Lake District is offering free accommodation at his five-star property to those affected by flooding as a result of Storm Desmond.
Colin Monk, who owns the Howbeck Retreat hotel in Windermere, usually closes for 10 days in early December to allow staff a pre-Christmas break.
However, he has temporarily opened the doors to the property to provide shelter for those who have been affected by the floods and are in need of a dry bed, running hot and cold water and a break for a night from the destruction caused.
Monk, whose restaurant was damaged by the storm but reopened just 48 hours later, said it is the “right thing to do”.
He said: “It’s an 11-bedroom luxury five-star hotel which aims towards romantic couples. People can get a shower, get clean and have a good night’s sleep. The kitchen is not open but there is a lounge where people can relax.”
The storm, which took place over the first weekend of December, hit businesses and residents hard with George Osborne announcing a £50m repair and renew scheme for Cumbria and Lancashire.
Meanwhile, Monk added he wanted the wider public to know that the Lake District was still open for business as usual. “We don’t want people thinking that they cannot get here – the best thing the public can do to help is to still come and support us,” he said.
