A HAMBLEDON shop and café has received a business support grant after floods last winter caused a drop in trade.

Lotts General Stores and Tea Room was awarded the grant by Winchester City Council along with The Vine pub and Topaz Hairdressers in Kingsworthy, Remarkable PR agency in Winchester and Twyford Playgroup.

The family-run store was one of the many businesses in Hambledon that were affected by the severe weather.

The floods lasted almost two months and were the worst in the district, with businesses seeing a 50 percent drop in takings.

Owners Martin and Debbie Clark realised that the flooding had cut the village off and organised a parcel delivery service from their shop.

The store relies on tourism and passing trade which was disrupted by the road closure.

Mr Clark said: “We used the business support grant to fund works to the interior of the shop area to improve presentation and appeal.

"These were the next planned works to develop our business but would not otherwise have been possible because of the impact of the floods on business takings last winter.”

The Council is urging other businesses affected by the floods to come forward and make applications.

Cllr Robert Humby, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “The grants are a good example of the Government devolving responsibility to a local authority for allocation of the funding at a more local level.

"We know our communities and are in touch with the needs of our local businesses and what they need to prosper.

"I personally visited those who were worse affected. We are also working with Hampshire County Council on a whole programme of flood prevention and resilience support for Hambledon.”