The owners of a much-loved Bishop Auckland tearoom say they have been left “heartbroken” after arriving at work to find water pouring through the ceiling in a devastating flood.
Becci Nye had gone into Fifteas Vintage Tearoom early on August 18, planning to prepare for the day ahead and set up a surprise birthday breakfast table for her husband.
Instead, the 39-year-old found water spreading across the floor and heard a loud noise coming from the back of the building.
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room, Bishop Auckland which suffered a flood pictured owner Becci Nye Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
She said: “I could hear something, but there are always noises here because it is a shared building and we are in the marketplace.
“I went into the kitchen and saw water on the floor. I thought, ‘Oh god, the dishwasher has not been switched off, or a tap has been left on.’
“Then the noise got louder and it sounded like rain, but it was not raining. When I went in the back, that is when I discovered it and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what is going on here?’
“The first thing that hits you is the smell. It is like a damp plaster smell. It is just horrible.”
The family-run, 1950s inspired tearoom has since been forced to close for three days after flooding, believed to have been caused by a burst pipe above, damaging its kitchen and gift shop.
Stock was soaked, food had to be thrown away, and water ran close to electrical equipment, leaving Becci fearing for the future of a business she has run with her younger sister, Alicia Richards, 31, for the past decade.
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room, Bishop Auckland which suffered a flood Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
She said: “Without the gift shop, Fifteas can still run. Without the kitchen, we really cannot.
“The water was dripping down right by the trip switch box. First of all, I was thinking, electricity and water. Is the kitchen going to be safe? Everything is so expensive in the kitchen because it is commercial equipment.”
Fifteas, which opened in 2016, is a labour of love for Becci and Alicia, who created their tearoom around the nostalgia of the 1950s.
But the flood has come during an already difficult period for the family, with Alicia still recovering from a kidney transplant and unable to return to work fully.
Becci said seeing the damage was “absolutely heart-wrenching”.
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room, Bishop Auckland which suffered a flood pictured owner Becci Nye Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
She said: “We have put everything into this café for ten years and I did not know who to ring or what to do.
"I was just devastated because I have never experienced anything like that before.”
Although the business is insured for its contents for up to £5,000, Becci said the full cost is not yet clear, with building insurers yet to assess the damage.
Becci said: “Financially, it is a huge hit because we do not have pots of money in the bank.
“The money goes in, then it gets spent and reinvested in the staff, the stock and our equipment. It is not like I have anything to fall back on.
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room, Bishop Auckland which suffered a flood Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“My staff still need to be paid. They have got mortgages, rent and bills to pay. But if I have got no money coming in, what am I going to do?
“I feel responsible for their wellbeing. The uncertainty of when we are going to get open, can I get open, what are the staff going to do, and who is going to get paid at the weekend, that has been the worst bit.”
The family has brought in an electrician to make sure the tearoom can safely reopen, rather than risk an extended closure while insurance claims are processed.
Becci said: “If we wait for the insurance company, they could drag on for weeks. That will just shut us down. There is no way we could survive weeks being closed.
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room, Bishop Auckland Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“We have to get open again as soon as possible.”
The team hopes to reopen today (Friday, August 21) with a reduced menu, provided they can complete the clean-up and restock in time.
Amid the devastation, Becci said the response from the community had given the family the strength to keep going.
Hundreds of people have since sent messages offering to sweep up, share advice and show their support.
Becci said: “It is going to sound really corny, but it was like a big community cuddle.
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“The support from everyone has been incredible and kept us going.
“When you feel like you are sick of being battered down, the community have been there cheering us on. You think, ‘come on, we can do this.’”
Fifteas Vintage Tearoom can be found at 9 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NJ.