Tesco has today reopened its Carlisle superstore after pre-Christmas flooding saw up to six feet of water almost destroy the premises.
The 45,000sq ft out-of-town store was forced to close in early December after the unprecedented deluge caused by Storm Desmond. Much of its contents were ruined and the internal structures damaged.
Tesco said it was unable to give a value to the damage done but the multi-million pound fightback included construction of a temporary, modular 10,000sq ft store in the car park.
The newly refurbished and refitted superstore has now been completed eight weeks after the disaster and Tesco said areas where it had improved the old store include the F+F clothing section and the café, with a new travel money pod and phone shop added, a larger pharmacy, improved staff area and improved ranges in store.
The car park has been relaid, with new signage added and a new state-of-the-art petrol station built.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Cumbria was badly affected by the floods and as well as providing support to communities across the region, we wanted to act quickly to bring our service back to customers as soon as possible.
“We’re delighted to be back open and welcoming customers to our newly refreshed store.”
While the superstore was closed its staff were redeployed in the temporary store or elsewhere across Cumbria.
Staff also helped to sort donations of food, clothing and household goods that were collected in other Tesco stores and redistributed to people in need through the Cumbria Community Foundation Flood Recovery Appeal.
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