A PUB is carrying out urgent work and counting the cost after it was flooded by heavy rain for the second time in four months.

This time the Ainsty in Boroughbridge Road, Acomb, is staying open as it gets back to normal, though it can only sell alcohol in bottles and soft drinks.

In August, it had to close for three weeks completely when floodwater ruined its electrics and poured into its cellars.

“It is just a nightmare,” said put manager Wendi Hyde. “The pub company will want to see some action that it definitely won’t happen again. We hope to get back to normal on Friday. We have got a regular’s 30th birthday then and we have got to be open for them.”

It was déjà vu for the pub last Friday as rainwater poured into its cellars, ruining thousands of pounds of stock and putting the bar and pumps out of action.

The blockage the pub was told had caused the flood was cleared and the water drained away within hours, but by then it had caused the damage.

“The difference this time is that we still have power,” said Wendi.

If the lights had gone out, the pub would have to close but it was open on Friday and opened full hours throughout the weekend. Extra stocks of bottled drinks were brought in.

In August, the pub had to close completely for three weeks when the floodwaters got into the electrics and cut the power, putting the kitchen out of action and ruining the contents of five freezers.

Workmen were immediately in the pub this week to start the work of sanitising and replacing the cellar including the pump lines leading to the bar, which is out of action.

Last time, the repairs and restocking cost £30,000, but this time it is expected to be less.

Wendi said the pub’s regulars were supporting it through its troubles and the pub had special offers on this weekend to compensate them for the limited drinks available.