Simon Rogan's L'Enclume hit by Storm Desmond in ‘worst floods in 14 years'

The two-Michelin-starred restaurant L'Enclume has suffered £50,000 of damage in the worst flooding in 14 years after Storm Desmond hit the region, according to chef-owner Simon Rogan.

The restaurant with rooms in Cartmel, Cumbria, had placed sandbags at the doors but the 16th century building still suffered water levels of 18 inches, with several bedrooms and the reception area affected, and the restaurant unable to hold dinner service on Saturday evening or all day Sunday.

However, the site escaped the worst of the damage thanks to it already being scheduled for renovation and painting this week, with painters having already moved in to begin work.

The village of Cartmel suffered in the flooding that has affected much of the Lake District and Cumbria area, although Rogan’s nearby sister restaurant, Rogan & Company, escaped unharmed thanks to being on slightly higher ground than L’Enclume.

Speaking to The Caterer, Rogan said: “It was quite a bad one this time, the worst in the 14 years in terms of the amount of rain. We have a river running through the garden at L’Enclume, which burst its banks all over the place. We battled in vain to get the water away but in the end it was futile. We lost our trade on Saturday night and all day Sunday.”

“It obviously looks quite bad and feels heartbreaking to see your restaurant in that state.”

However, he added that Cartmel was a prime spot for flooding, and that it was an occupational hazard of being in such an historical place.

He said: “You can’t have the beauty here without its problems; it is a medieval village, with antiquated drainage and no street lights, but that’s its charm. It’s amazing that Rogan & Company wasn’t affected, because it was surrounded by water. That would have been a disaster, as it’s got a wooden floor and we’re fully booked.

He was optimistic about the week ahead, however, saying: “We got off lightly compared to some places north of us. The sun’s out, the water’s gone down, and we’re open for a busy week at Rogan & Company.”   Â

He added that residents were used to dealing with flooding issues, had been “through a lot over the years”, and had become accustomed to getting the village back on its feet quickly.

L’Enclume opened in 2002 and is the chef’s flagship restaurant in Cartmel. He also operates the neighbouring Rogan & Company, alongside his development kitchen Aulis, the French at the Midland hotel and Mr Cooper’s House and Garden in Manchester, and Fera at Claridge’s in London.Â

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