The Bracebridge hit by Storm Goretti which wrecked its ‘stretch tent’ canopy area, brought trees down and caused power issues
A restaurant in Sutton Coldfield has been forced to shut for days after Storm Goretti caused ‘significant damage’ and power outages.
The owners of The Bracebridge in Sutton Park last week’s storm. which left the Midlands covered in snow, destroyed the canopy ‘stretch tent’ over their outdoor dining area, rendering it ‘beyond simple repair’.
The weather also led to power and internet issues and saw trees blown over along the venue’s access route.
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The main restaurant had to shut, as well as its Sip and Slice coffee shop.
A video, above, showed the extent of the damage, with the canopy over the outside seating area which overlooks the park’s idyllic Bracebridge Pool collapsed.
The venue’s owners discovered the damage on Saturday, January 10, having not ventured to the area due to trees being down and the snow the previous day. The ‘tent’ canopy was said to have come down on Friday night.
The canopy at the Bracebridge restaurant in Sutton Park has been torn down by Storm Goretti and is not repairable the venue’s owners have said (Image: The Bracebridge)
The Sutton Coldfield venue’s team posted online: “Unfortunately, the recent weather has caused significant damage to The Bracebridge, beyond simple repair. “We are currently experiencing power and internet issues, and our stretch tent and outdoor area have been severely damaged as a result of the storm. Due to this, The Bracebridge will be closed this weekend and into the start of next week while we work to resolve these issues safely.”
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The statement continued: “Our guest services team will be contacting all upcoming bookings over the next few days.
“This is understandably upsetting news for the entire Bracebridge family, but we are working hard behind the scenes and hope to be back open as soon as possible. “Thank you for your patience and continued support.”
Storm Goretti wreaked havoc at The Bracebridge restaurant in Sutton Coldfield’s Sutton Park (Image: The Bracebridge)
In an update, the venue said the storm damage caused was ‘not insurable’ and the stretch tent canopy over the outside dining area was not repairable.
Birmingham City Council closed the access road due to fallen trees and the venue was still experiencing power and internet issues on Sunday.
The venue is now closed today, Monday, and Tuesday ‘at a minimum’.
Another view of the damage caused to the Bracebridge restaurant’s outside seating area with its ‘stretch tent’ canopy cover completely wrecked (Image: The Bracebridge)
It was also appealing for anyone free tomorrow to ‘lend a hand’ with the clear-up operation.
The Bracebridge said: “Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who has called, messaged and commented with support over the last couple of days on this dire situation, it genuinely means more than we can say. “Unfortunately, we’ve been advised that the storm damage is not insurable, and that our stretch tent is not repairable. “With the council closing the roads due to fallen trees, and ongoing power and internet issues, we sadly need to remain closed today, tomorrow and Tuesday at a minimum.”
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The message continued: “On Tuesday, we’ll have some very kind helpers on site to begin removing the tent and repairing whatever we can, with the hope of reopening on Wednesday, subject to the road reopening and power being restored.
“For those who have offered help, thank you. If anyone is free and would like to lend a hand, we’ll be on site Tuesday 13th from 10am. We will come armed with off-grid facilities to make coffee.
“Once again, thank you all. Your kindness has truly helped make a very sh*t situation that little bit easier.”