BUSINESSES counting the cost of the flooding clean-up effort have voiced concern that their insurance premiums might soar.

Jason Dearden, managing director of Windermere Marina Village, said it was up to the Government to make sure flood-hit businesses were not punished disproportionately by a rise in insurance premiums.

“We’re looking for as much pressure from the relevant bodies as possible to make clear to insurance companies that this was an extreme, one-off event,” he said.

Some of the 20 boats sunk at the Marina Village are yet to be recovered, but the refurbishment of 40 flood-damaged rental properties will be completed in the New Year.

Windermere Lake Cruises bounced back into business just three days after floods wrecked its workshops and shoreline offices.

Senior operations manager John Woodburn estimated the damage at £100,000 and admitted concerns over future insurance premiums.

“We are a bit apprehensive about insurance in the coming years if the lake continues to rise,” he said.

The White Cross Bay holiday park on the shores of Windermere, near Troutbeck Bridge, was deluged by floodwaters, incurring £2m damage and £250,000 in lost earnings. It is looking forward to reopening in March with refurbished facilities.

Managing director Nigel Wimpenny said: “The insurance company has so far acted very speedily, but I think we’re going to be looking at a rise in insurance even though this was a freakish occurrence.”

Despite hoping for a quick return to business, the badly-hit Whitewater Hotel will be closed until February, pending a structural report.

Whitewater Operations manager James Beech described the financial damage to the business as ‘signifi-cant’.

The Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge has bounced back sooner than expected.

However, staff whose homes were wrecked nearby have had to leave work until their homes are habitable in March.

Elsewhere on the shoreline, The Lakes Aquarium at Newby Bridge, is closed until early New Year.