Regular flooding putting long-standing fashion boutique in peril

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

A long-established fashion boutique is calling for help in its ‘seemingly endless’ fight against floodwater and debris.

Flash floods in Purley over the last few months, which left cars and bins overturned, have left business owners fearing for their futures.

Lucindas women’s clothing boutique has been a fixture of Purley for the past 40 years. According to 75-year-old owner Mary Coughlan, the family-run business has survived recessions and become the longest-running family business in the town centre of the Croydon neighbourhood.

Lucindas occupies a central point on Russell Hill Parade and its distinctive signage on the side of the shop has become familiar to locals and passers-by. However, its very location at the bottom of Purley valley places the business in a uniquely difficult position.

The shop has constantly had to deal with floodwater surges, which build up into a ‘reservoir’ behind the store. Once the flooding eventually subsides, Mary is often left with ruined stock and a courtyard of ‘stinking waste’ and rats.

She said: “When the heavens open and we have a real monsoon, we don’t have a hope. We have a bottleneck at the back of the shop, and without fail it comes down like the rapids and builds up like a little reservoir.”

Beyond the glamorous shop floor, you are met with a bundle of rags and sandbags piled up at the back door of the shop. Mary said: “We have to put these sandbags down, even in the day, just in case there’s a flash flood.”

The courtyard behind the shops on Russell Hill Road is private land and is shared by several businesses. However, by being at the end of the parade of the shops, Lucindas takes the brunt of the rainwater.

According to Mary, recent floods have seen the water penetrate the shop and ruin racks of expensive clothing. “Everything from cashmere jumpers to expensive wedding gowns were ruined,” she said.

Matters are made worse by the recurrence of commercial bins toppling over in the flood surge and spilling their contents into the water. This further contaminates the water and leaves debris like pizza boxes, nappies and bottles floating around the back of the shop.

When the water finally drains out, the courtyard is left with silt, sludge and debris across the floor. Mary said: “It’s stinking and the rubbish from bins disintegrates and fills up the soakaway.”

Rats have also been attracted to the area as a result of the fallen debris, to the point where some local businesses have employed a dedicated rat catcher.

She and local Conservative councillor Samir Dwesar, who has worked with her on the flooding issue, believe the council should take more of a role given the number of council tenants living in flats above the parade of shops, who also stand to be affected.

While Mary has often been able to rely on community members and staff at Lucindas to clear up after a flood, she says this is increasingly hard to do. She now wants the council to support her to help clean up after floods.

She said: “I have paid business rates there all these years, it isn’t fair and we are contributing to the community. The least the council can do is put in a team whilst the bigger flood work is happening.”

Cllr Dwesar said TfL, which manages the A23 red route from where much of the rainwater descends, also bears some responsibility for the flood damage.

He said: “I feel sorry for hardworking business owners like Mary Coughlan, whose shocking pictures and videos of flooding incidents and their aftermath speak for themselves.

“It is vital that Mary and local residents are provided with appropriate support when they are severely impacted. As soon as the rain comes along I think of Mary, I just know something bad is going to happen.”

A TfL spokesman said: “We apologise to those affected by the flooding issue in Purley town centre. We’re working closely with the London Borough of Croydon, and Thames Water to address the flooding risks and improve road and drainage systems in that area, whilst working around the challenge of the site being at the bottom of a hill.

“We have successfully reduced the severity and frequency of flooding incidents over the last few years due to a number of interventions, which includes a more regular cleaning regime. Further works are planned, which cover trialling sensors to monitor water levels, repairs to pipes and new water run-off systems that are less likely to be blocked.”

Croydon council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Mary Coughlan, who has dealt with flooding throughout her 40 years in Purley, but believes it’s getting worse (Picture: Harrison Galliven)