A SOUTH Lakeland carpet and rugs business has reopened its doors after battling back from devastation caused by last December's floods.

When Storm Desmond wreaked havoc through Cumbria at the end of last year, Goodacre Carpets and Rugs – which has been in Kendal since the 1930s – shared in the anguish of so many others and was forced to close for months.

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of stock was destroyed and a complication with insurance providers meant it was the summer before it started seeing any money to help towards the rebuild.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, enlisted the help of the financial ombudsman to help owner Mike Cornish and manager Helen Howarth fight for the cash, joined staff and guests for the official reopening.

"Today is a definite sigh of relief – we weren't even sure it was ever going to happen," said Ms Howarth. "To get the call saying it was all systems go was just fantastic for all of us. Kendal would've lost a piece of history if we hadn't managed it."

Mr Cornish added: "It was such a devastating experience for all of us – not just the flooding and all the damage but having our insurance providers to pay doubled it. Tim Farron was brilliant and was very quick to help.

"It's needed money which we eventually got and we've had enormous support from our suppliers. It clearly affected the lives of the team here but they all hung on in.

"Everyone has been so understanding to help us get back into a position where we can be back in business."

Mr Farron, who cut the ribbon at the reopening of the Dockray Hall Industrial Estate business, said: "It's a joy to be here to see them with their fantastic products and I'm very proud of them.

"Like many businesses, they were very badly hit by the floods last winter, but it’s fantastic to see them back on their feet now. I wish them every success.

"It's the enduring nature of the Goodacre brand – it speaks of Lake District quality with materials literally grown on the fells on the back of Herdwicks and we are fortunate it's still here."