News

Vivid’s Caroline voices concern about ‘flood town’ reputation

2 May 2012

Caroline Rawlinson is concerned Tewkesbury is being wrongly labelled a 'flood town'.

Vivid Director Caroline Rawlinson has spoken of her concern at Tewkesbury being wrongly labelled as a flood town.

Heavy rain across the country over the past few days has seen the market town making national and local news headlines. However, local business owners and residents are worried that the coverage is giving a misleading view of the town, when it is very much open for business. They point out that Tewkesbury is built on a flood plain and seasonal flooding is normal for it .

Following devastating floods in 2007, Tewkesbury has worked hard at restoring its image. The Vivid Consultancy, which is based in the town, was very much part of the regeneration efforts.

But since then, any flooding in the town has put Tewkesbury back in the national spotlight, with the latest heavy rains and its seasonal flooding again causing a flurry of dramatic headlines.

Caroline, who lives in the town, was among a number of business people and residents interviewed by BBC Radio Gloucestershire after expressing concern about the message the coverage is putting out for the vibrant town.

“I feel a sadness that we are purely associated with the floods of 2007,” she said. “What is blown out of proportion is that we are on a flood plain and once a year we flood. People living here are used to it - you just adapt. You may think our lives have ground to a halt but they really haven't.”

“I have seen lots of helicopters filming us, and it looks spectacular from the sky, but it is a problem that we could always be associated with floods.”

Caroline said she was concerned that the wrong impression was being given on the eve of the major tourism season which would stop people visiting Tewkesbury.

“Since 2007 the town has got back on its feet really well. There has been an awful lot of change and the business community has done really well. More businesses are coming, we are attracting companies to the town and people are wanting to live here. I’m sure the town will be very good at coming together to get the message out that this is normal.”

To see the full story, visit  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-17908565

 

< Back

Twitter feed - @WeAreVivid