A POPULAR cafe that was hit by flash floods last year is now back in business.

Sonia Butler, of Butler’s Baguettes in Wimborne Road, Winton, has had her business disrupted since last August, after flash floods left her ankle deep in water.

The sandwich bar was badly water-damaged but she continued serving customers until December, when the insurance company for the flats above her shop authorised the repairs and she had to close.

She was out of business for six weeks but has now re-opened, to the delight of Winton’s student community.

She said: “It was just awful last August when we were flooded.

“It was like an avalanche down the window and we had no choice but to evacuate.

“We were paddling around in water.

“I had never seen anything like it, we were deluged so suddenly.

“We initially closed for a day and a half but then reopened.

“But the floor was all bubbled up and the ceiling was bowed and it looked awful.

“My regulars understood but it must have put new customers off, it didn’t look good at all.

“It feels great to be back in business again and welcoming all my regulars back.

“While we were closed they were banging on the window asking when I was going to open so I think we were missed by a few people. I love being here in this part of Winton and particularly love chatting to the uni students and the foreign language students.

“I’m something like a mother hen to them.”