THE last Padiham business still closed following the devastating floods last winter is to reopen this weekend.

Independent electrical retailer Harry Garlick, which is based in Burnley Road, suffered a lot of damage when Storm Eva hit East Lancashire on Boxing Day 2015.

The firm, which has shops across East Lancashire, has been forced to keep its Padiham store closed while repair work has been under way.

Bosses had hoped that it was going to be reopened in August but that target had to be pushed back until Saturday, October 1.

A spokesman for the company, which was set up in the 1950s, said: “Work is currently going on to stack the shelves and we will be reopening at 9am on Saturday.

“The employees from Padiham are currently working at the Burnley store.”

In July, the company said that there had been issues with getting the store back up and running.

It also thanked its customer who have travelled to the Burnley store.

Bob Clark, who is a member of Padiham Town Council, said that the town is “back in business”.

He said: “This is the last commercial business to still reopen following the floods.

“The floods had such a damaging effect on the town.

“It’s good to see that Harry Garlick will now reopen at the weekend and it will draw a line under the whole event really.

“Padiham really is back in business now.”

Work is still on-going at Padiham Town Hall and it’s not expected to be reopened until the spring.

Work to remove asbestos is expected to last for three weeks before tradesmen can enter the building in Burnley Road.

An official reopening is to be hosted by the town mayor next year.

Town councillors have been using locations as a temporary measure.

Ann Clark, who set up and runs the town’s archives museum in the hall, said: “We were saved from the flood damage because of where we are located but we have had to shut down since Christmas because of the damage to the rest of the hall.

“We have been on an enforced break which has been very frustrating.

“It will be great when we are able to reopen the museum.

“We have been able to get inside and do maintenance but I’m very much looking forward to welcoming the first new visitors back.”