THE landlord of a Herefordshire pub has vowed to keep fighting to stay open despite problems caused by recent flooding.

Nigel Ree who runs the Tap House in Millpond Street, Ross-on-Wye, said last month that the pub would struggle to reopen after a flood hit the town centre when pipes burst in a storm.

"Since the floods on May 12 the Tap House, a business in Ross since 2018, has remained closed," said Mr Ree. 

"Unlike some who have closed for no apparent reason, we cannot open. Due to the damage and loss of earnings, it is a real possibility that we will not open again.

"This for us is heartbreaking. We have put our heart and soul into this business even during the tough times. We have met some lovely customers, many of whom have become friends."

Mr Ree and his wife Christine also recently look over the lease at the historic Crown and Sceptre near the Ross market house.

He added: "From opening our second venue, we have now come to this."

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"We cannot leave the building empty for much longer," he went on.

The pub is hoping to raise funds to help cover the cost of a new floor and said it has  been speaking to Welsh Water about compensation.

But Welsh Water says the flooding of the Tap House is being treated as a separate flooding incident from the Broad Street incident.

A spokesperson for Welsh Water said: "We are working closely with businesses in Broad Street and Brookend Street affected by the flooding following a significant storm and the collapse of our sewer on May 12, with a good number already compensated.

“We were made aware of a social media post on June 15, a month after the incident, advising of damage to the Tap House in Millpond Street.

“We had not been notified prior to this. We have since looked into the matter and found the property was not flooded as a result of the sewer collapse. Because of this we are treating it as a separate flooding incident and it is being investigated in line with our usual procedures.”