A sinkhole has opened up outside a menswear shop in Lancaster
The hole appeared at the front of Joseph & Co men’s clothing store in North Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Council officers have since fenced the area off and shop owner Paul Cusimano said it’s business as usual.
Paul said a previous report had been made to the council after paving stones had come loose following the storm and subsequent flooding last month. This was due to be investigated imminently.
However, shortly after 4pm on Tuesday Paul said there was “the loudest thud I have ever heard”.
"I rushed to see if there had been an accident, but instead found a sink hole,” he said. “A sink hole right outside my shop, no less Fortunately, two officers from Lancaster City Council were on hand. Immediately both began phoning council colleagues, the police and county council.
“They were sending photos, frantically looking to get the area cordoned off as there was, and is, a real risk of more of the pavement falling in. Me, I was obviously concerned about public safety, but also fascinated to discover an underground doorway into the basement area that had long since been sealed off, and a large void.
“Did stairs service this entrance? When was it sealed up? How did the street outside the properties once look? These thoughts had continued to swirl around inside my head long after the police, further council officers, and two bods from county had come to assess, make the area secure, and had gone.
“The shop will be open as usual, albeit you will have a slightly more distant view of the window. Thankfully nobody was hurt whatsoever.
“I want to finish by thanking those officers from both city and county councils, who acted with incredible professionalism and speed, and to the volunteer who took charge of the shop for me, Lorraine, whilst I was outside nattering. Thank you.”
A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: “Two Lancaster City Council staff members were nearby when the sinkhole appeared and acted quickly to help keep the public safe. They alerted the council and remained on site until other services arrived.
“The council enacted its emergency response protocol and put barriers in place to protect the public and minimise disruption to nearby businesses.
“Responsibility for the highway rests with Lancashire County Council, and we will continue to support the multi-agency response as needed.”
