Staff at Winnersh Garden Centre, next to the River Loddon near Reading, say annual flooding has become a fact of life after heavy rain and stormy weather forced the centre to close temporarily.
The site — which sits beside the Winnersh Showcase cinema car park (home to Costa Coffee and the newly opened Five Guys and drive‑thru) — was shut on Friday and Saturday over the weekend (23–24 January) because of flood risk. Photos showed water at the garden centre exit and parts of the cinema car park under water.
A staff member called Helen posted an update on Sunday 25 January, welcoming customers back: “We’d like to thank you all for your patience and understanding during the flood that we’ve just experienced but we’re now open, see you all soon!”
A spokesperson for British Garden Centres, which runs the Winnersh site, said: “The centre was closed on Friday and Saturday due to temporary access issues caused by local floodwater. ” They added: “There was no damage to the premises or stock, and the centre reopened fully to customers on Sunday. ” and “We are used to flooding, so prepare and react accordingly and as a result, we become more resilient each time it occurs.”
The flood did not stop Five Guys from opening as scheduled on Monday 26 January.
The events have raised questions about preventing future floods. Drains in the area feed underground channels linked to the river network and are managed by Wokingham Borough Council. A council spokesperson said: “The council maintains the drains in this area, but because the area is on a flood plain and recent rainfall has been unusually high (above the average seasonal max), flooding can still occur even when the system is functioning.”
The Environment Agency, which is responsible for managing flood risk, warned neighbours and offered safety advice: “Our specialist teams are out across the Thames Valley, taking action to reduce the effect of flooding, and support those communities affected.
“Don’t drive, cycle, run or walk through floodwater – it’s often deeper than it looks, and hides obstacles. Just 30cm/12ins of flowing water can float your car.
“Get flood alerts and warnings for any location in England, and advice for preparing for and dealing with flooding, at www.gov.uk/flood and at Floodline: 0345 988 1188. You can also follow us on Twitter, now known as X: @envagencyse.”
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
