Meadowhall shopping centre remains partially closed more than a fortnight after the catastrophic flooding that hit Sheffield on Monday June 25. The upper malls reopened on Monday July 2 after losing six days' trade but other parts of the centre remain closed.
As the River Don burst its banks leaving the centre's lower mall under water, and with cars floating in the lower car parks, the centre's emergency planning swung into action. Centre director Mohammed Dajani appeared live on Sky News to reassure families of the 100-plus shoppers and employees trapped in the centre that they were being well looked-after.
Those trapped were accommodated in the centre's Debenhams store and were given blankets, food and water until they could be evacuated by the emergency services.
As soon as the waters began to recede, mopping-up operations began, and once health & safety clearance was given the centre's upper level was able to reopen with temporary hoardings in place to close off the most badly damaged areas. Currently 120 out of the centre's 270 stores are trading but more are expected to reopen shortly.
However, damage to a number of stores was so severe that they will need to be completely refitted before they can reopen, which could take up to two months. The lower level of The Oasis Food Court remains closed as are the lower levels of the centre's red and yellow car parks.
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