Severe storm strikes stores

CO-OP stores across the northern parts of the UK took a battering from hurricane force winds and floods from burst river banks and torrential rain.
The worst affected was the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op&#039s store in Frizington, which had its roof pulled off in 100mph winds.
Water had got under the aluminum pitched roof and pulled the food store&#039s roof down Main Street damaging adjoining buildings and smashing into cars. There were no injuries.
Steve Warren, spokesman for the Co-operative Group-owned North East Co-op, said: "Assessors are studying the damage of the building, and it could take over a week before the store is back open."
At least a dozen other stores were closed by the storm that hit Cumbria. The worst affected stores were in Carlisle where part of the city was flooded with 6ft of water from torrential rain.
The Co-op&#039s Appleby branch in Westmorland was closed after the nearby river Eden burst its banks flooding the premises.
Mr Warren added: "Major problems were experienced across the region with a loss of power affecting almost half of all stores."
There were also some minor incidents of looting at a store in Carlisle, according to the society. At the Co-op stores in Denton Holme and Currock staff had set up makeshift tills by the door and were taking customer orders by torch and candle light.
Some stores in Scotland had to close after storms hit stock and deliveries. A Co-operative Group spokeswoman said: "Scottish Co-op stores in the Western Isles and Shetland Islands have been badly affected by the storms.
"There are no ferries to the islands and power cuts in Uist, Barra and Skye have caused the Portree and Castlebay stores to close, with the loss of some stock. The Mallaig store was also forced to close and there was minor structural damage to stores in Stornoway, Wick and Caol.
"Northern Ireland Co-op has experienced minor disruption with a few late deliveries due to cancelled ferries across the Irish Sea but fresh, local produce has been delivered as usual."
In Cumbria, three Penrith Co-op stores were affected by power cuts. Chief Executive John Mills said: "We have been quite fortunate in that only a few of our stores were affected due to basic power loss and that none suffered from flooding."
Penrith&#039s Keswick store was the only one open in the town after competitors were flooded. Its monopoly saw a surge in trade. Other stores in the society&#039s portfolio also reported increased sales with matches and candles being the most sought after.
Allendale Co-op was forced to stop serving cooked meats when its water supply was cut off. The one store society also had frequent powers cuts that did not affect any frozen or fresh produce due to backup plans.