Dear Sir
Recent Water Stoppages: Rye and Winchelsea Beach September / October 2023
I have a holiday let in Winchelsea Beach and a wine shop on the Landgate in Rye. The recent water shortages, which started in Winchelsea Beach on Friday, September 22 and lasted through to Saturday, September 30 and in Rye from Friday, September 29 (and which is still ongoing in some areas) have had a catastrophic affect on both my businesses. I have had to refund in full the two groups of guests who were staying at the property. This is a lot of money running into the thousands.
Beaucatcher Wines in Rye also saw a complete collapse in trading over Friday, and the weekend due to the water shortages, which forced the closure of most of the hospitality businesses in the area. I have spoken to the water company in question who have said they will be compensating businesses and households and this will take the form of a credit to one’s account. The sums they have mentioned are miniscule and do not represent, in any way, the amount of money lost by independent businesses in the area. They have suggested that those businesses who have lost money claim under the business interuption clause in their insurance policy. However the only clause I have in my policy – which deals with the loss of earnings – relates to actual damage to the property. I understand that there are many other busiensses in the area in a similar situation. To this end I will be putting together a group of those affected by these shortages to proceed with a class action.
If you are interested in taking part or learning more please get in touch with Piers Plowden at piers@plowden,com or call 07903 942 337. I will be arranging a group meeting in the next couple of weeks to discuss the way forward.
Yours
Piers Plowden
Image Credits: Nick Forman .