weather wreaks havoc

Hospitality businesses throughout Scotland and the North of England suffered from the exceptional weather conditions over the New Year, enduring water shortages and burst pipes.

The most serious incident, thought to have been caused by frozen pipes, was an explosion at the Braeriach Hotel, Newtonmore, in the Highlands. Three people were injured, one with severe facial burns, when a back boiler exploded.

The Macdonald Thistle Hotel, Giffnock, Glasgow, was without water for almost four days from New Year's Day, due to burst water mains.

Drinking water was brought in via containers from the Tinto Firs Thistle, three miles away. Mineral water was given free to guests and Portakabin toilets were hired.

The hotel had 70 guests on the night of 1 January. Customers who arrived after this were found accommodation at other hotels. "Guests were very understanding and the hotel did as much as possible to alleviate the situation," said a spokeswoman.

The hotel intends to seek compensation for the period from Strathclyde Water Board for having to close the bar and restaurants open to non-residents, and send guests elsewhere.

Just before New Year, the Copthorne Hotel in Glasgow found its central heating disabled due to the burst water mains.

"We tried to buy heaters to keep the place warm, but there were none, so we had to make do with extra blankets," said Mandy Scott, general manager at the hotel. "The hotel was fully booked for a Hogmanay gala dinner dance. Thankfully the heating came back on in time for the event."

At Murray Park, in Crieff, Tayside, burst pipes flooded a new accommodation block. Fortunately, guests were able to be relocated to the main part of the hotel.

At the George Hotel in Chollerford, Northumberland, an electrical power cut meant the hotel had to be lit by candles. "We were dependent on the goodwill of the guests. Many said it was quite romantic," said a spokeswoman for the hotel, who admitted that if the power cut had lasted any longer, the hotel would probably have been forced to close.

Michelin-starred restaurant Winteringham Fields, South Humberside, contacted Caterer to say it had suffered a burst pipe in the attic. "Hundreds of gallons of water descended, along with the ceilings, into the cellar," said proprietor Annie Schwab.

The Schwabs are now redecorating and plan to reopen for business tomorrow.