Double-Flood Leaves Piano Shop Submerged
3.Nov.2006
The mains pipe burst on the street outside and as we were in a basement at the time all of the water poured in under our front door.
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Press Release:
A mains water pipe burst twice within a five-day period last week sending many thousands of gallons of water straight into a Rochdale piano showroom where many antique grand pianos were on show. When the first pipe burst, staff and friends of Mark Goodwin Pianos spent over two hours fighting back the water with tyre walls, plastic sheeting and water pumps before the water source was turned off. Their efforts kept the water level down to around three inches deep saving most of the oldest and most valuable stock from water damage. Five days later, however, the same pipe burst again leaving over twenty pianos over two feet under water.
“When I climbed through a window into the showroom after the second flood it was a very sad sight to see. The water level was almost 3ft deep and there were piano stools floating around the room” recalls Mark Goodwin who started the business three years ago after graduating from Leeds University with a Music Degree.
Mark started out with just two pianos in his parents’ garage in 2003 and over the next three years expanded steadily and the business was beginning to gather some real momentum. The run-up to Christmas promised to be an exciting time but two floods in one week meant that the entire stock was lost and the shop had to be temporarily closed. Within two days of the flood, Mark received an offer from Bethesda church in Royton to store some pianos in their back room whilst his showroom was closed. He accepted their offer and was fortunate enough to have some funds in the bank allowing him to go out and restock.
“I now have seven pianos in stock at the church and I’m starting to sell again. My customers are very understanding of the situation and are wishing me well as I try to recover from this situation.”
United Utilities have admitted full liability.