A LANDLORD has hit out at Warrington Borough Council after claiming officials refused to help before his pub was badly flooded.

The Ferry Tavern at Fiddlers Ferry, is closed after severe weather last week saw the banks of the Mersey burst, water pouring in and rising to the level of the bar.

Andrew Mulholland, aged 36, was forced to move wife Jade and newborn son Charlie out of their home in the flat above the pub on Station Road on Thursday.

He slammed the council after claiming he was denied sandbags hours before the flood, despite the Environment Agency warning him he was in a high risk location.

Mr Mulholland said: “I asked offered to pick them up, and was told sandbags wouldn’t be issued until water was coming into the building.

“The point is to prevent flooding not use them when it’s already happened.

“The system is absolutely flawed and ridiculous.

“No one knew how high the water would come, and sandbags might not have made a difference, but the answer I got when asking for help was ‘no’.”

The father-of-one says he pays business rates of £1,659 a month, and council tax for the residential area.

“I was told by the council I’m on an unadopted road so I’m not their responsibility,” he said.

“But they still take money.

“It’s hard enough for anyone coming home with a newborn baby without your home and business being flooded.

“We are without income before Christmas so it’s a scary time.”

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: “ It is the second time the pub has flooded since Mr Mulholland took over in May 2005.

A similar incident in 2006 caused £50,000 worth of damage.

This time, the town has rallied round to give support.

Heaters and a generator have been donated, as the pub is without power, along with 30 stools to replace damaged upholstery.

Aid has also been given with decorating and cleaning.

Mr Mulholland has been ‘overwhelmed by the response’.

Thanks to the Penketh community getting involved in a huge clean-up operation, the pub is now set to reopen on Sunday at 12pm. 

Andrew and Jade said they have been inundated with messages of support via Facebook and Twitter.

They added: “We cannot thank people enough for the support they have given – we have always proudly shouted about the fact we are a genuine community pub but we were overwhelmed by the kindness of family, staff, customers, local businesses and people from the community.

"There is a hell of a lot to be said for community spirit – the support that we have had is unbelievable.”