No extra funding for businesses in Wiltshire hit by Storm Bert floods

The decision has come after the Storm Bert floods which hit the county in November 2024 were the worst floods seen in the area since the 1960s.

Funding to support business recovery has been made available by the Government for every major flooding event since 2013.

Reacting to the shock decision, Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Government has decided not to provide financial support to our residents and businesses, who were hit hard by Storm Bert.

“This is particularly frustrating as we know just how much any funding would have helped affected residents and businesses get back on their feet.

“Despite the worst flooding in Chippenham and Melksham since the 1960s, as well as the Avon bursting its banks in Bradford on Avon, we will receive nothing this time around.

"We even had the Minister for Water and Flooding visit Wiltshire following Storm Bert, which illustrates how serious the situation was here."

Dible & Roy in Bradford on Avon was one of many shops forced to close, and will receive no extra Government help (Image: Dible & Roy) During Storm Bert, Wiltshire Council had more than 220 reports of flooding throughout the county.

Chippenham and Bradford on Avon were the worst hit towns and many businesses there have been forced to close, with residents required to leave their homes after deep flood water swept through the doors.

The result means months of income loss, expensive repairs, and potential homelessness for those worst affected.

Anticipating some funding being made available, Wiltshire Council had originally asked both residents and businesses that had experienced flooding as a result of Storm Bert to contact them.

This was so that the council could contact those affected to let them know how to claim the expected Government funding.

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Wiltshire Council has now put out a public statement saying that it is struggling to make sense of this latest Government decision.

“We have previously received financial support from the Government to grant to affected businesses and residents for every major flooding incident since 2013, which makes this decision even more difficult to understand," added Councillor Clewer.

“We will continue to do all we can to lobby the Government and to try to secure the funding that our communities need.”