Flooded Pub Pints Go Viral: A Decade of Resilience

Ten years ago, Steve Holt and John Kelly found unexpected fame when a photo of them enjoying pints in their flooded pub garden went viral. The Bridge Inn in Leeds, part of Kirkstall Brewery, was devastated by the autumn and winter floods of 2015. Despite the initial shock, the owners have seen their business protected from subsequent floods thanks to a major investment in defences.

The owners recalled wading into rising waters to save picnic benches, eventually deciding to sit down with a beer as the river rose around them. This moment, captured by a photographer, led to widespread media attention. The severe Boxing Day floods later that year caused extensive damage, leaving two inches of silt everywhere. Without flood insurance, the brewery owners funded repairs themselves, though community support was vital in reopening by New Year's Eve.

Significant investment through the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, completed in 2024, has since protected thousands of homes and businesses. This £200m project involved engineering works like new weir gates and defensive walls. Despite a few close calls, the brewery, now owning 10 pubs, credits its community focus for its resilience.