Warwickshire Pub Spends £120K to Fend Off Floods

In October 2025, the Royal Oak Pub in Brandon, Warwickshire has taken drastic measures to protect itself from relentless flooding. The landlady, Khara Schrijvers, has spent almost £120,000 on a range of flood defenses, including custom-made aluminum gates, special manhole covers, and a waterproof coating for the cellar walls and floors.

These preventative measures were necessary after the pub experienced 12 floods in just 4 months. The pub was forced to close for 4.5 months while the work was carried out, and Schrijvers says the insurance premiums have increased 5.5 times what they were paying before the floods.

Neighboring residents in Wolston have also had to invest in their own flood protection. Shan Dobinson spent £5,500 on defenses, though she was later reimbursed by the local council. However, Dobinson notes that the flood warnings were not helpful, and work to prevent flooding upstream has been slow.

The Environment Agency is now planning to install a flood warning gauge on the Wolston Brook by February 2026, after obtaining the necessary approvals from local authorities. They acknowledge the devastating impact of flooding and say strengthening community resilience is a top priority.