Scottish guest house wall collapses into river Teviot as hospitality businesses feel toll of Storm Ciara

The wall of a guest house and bistro in the Scotttish Borders was dramatically swept into the river Teviot early on Sunday morning, as Storm Ciara swept in chaos for hospitality businesses across the country.

Gusts of up to 97mph hit much of the country this weekend, with 20,000 homes spending Sunday night without power and many areas left underwater after a month and a half's rainfall fell in just 24 hours.

The extreme weather conditions damaged the foundations of Bridge House and Sonia’s Bistro in Hawick, with witnesses reporting that an exterior wall facing the river Teviot suddenly crumbled into the water leaving the interiors of the guest house exposed.

Emergency services were called to the scene and taped off the area. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.30am police in Hawick were made aware of structural damage to Bridge House guest house in Sandbed. Officers attended and assisted Scottish fire and rescue service at the scene. The building had been evacuated and there are no injuries.”

It is not yet known if the nine-bedroom, family-owned guest house will need to be demolished.

The Met Office had issued amber weather warnings for much of the country over the weekend.

In Newton in Bowland, Lancashire, the Parkers Arms was forced to close but luckily locals still turned up armed with mops and buckets when rising water levels flooded the dining room.

One of the more shocking reports of the day came from Newbury, where The Vineyard at Stockcross managing director Andrew McKenzie’s car was struck by a falling tree on his way to visit his new grandson. The Caterer was pleased to hear McKenzie was unharmed.

Photo credit: © Fraser Knight & LBC

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