BUSINESSES in Evesham have been hung out to dry by insurance companies who are refusing to cover them in the event of more flooding.

Several of the town’s most successful and popular business including the Northwick Hotel on Waterside, Olivinos on Port Street and Raphael’s Restaurant on Boat Lane have confirmed they will not be covered by their insurance should their properties flood again.

Ronald Gijsel, owner of Olivinos, explained this turn of events has left them teetering on the brink of closure.

He said: “When we went to renew our insurance in December they told us we were too high risk and would be covered for everything except flooding, which for us is the most important one.

“It’s now very simple, if we flood again it will be the end for us.

“Every time the rain comes we hope it won’t rise too much, but all we have is hope. It’s tough.

“We are trying to remain positive but we get very stressed, we don’t sleep at night and are constantly checking the river levels when it rains.

“I thought insurance was there for this kind of unforeseen problem but they have been blaming other people, it’s very arrogant of them.”

Evesham MP Peter Luff has called on the insurance industry to act reasonably and is in discussion with the Environment Agency about how to prevent more flooding in the town.

He said: “I think the government should be working with the insurance industry to help safeguard communities built in good faith, to provide support for residents and business.

“There is compelling evidence for installing proper flood protection in Bengeworth. The Environment Agency are conducting a feasibility study on this and I will be meeting with them in October to see their results.”

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers, Kelly Ostler-Coyle, added: "If the risk of flooding has not been adequately managed then it can be difficult for insurance companies to take on the risk.

"There are steps that can be taken to mitigate against flood damage and make properties more insurable, such as by installing flood barriers or using different building materials, and often insurance companies will work with people to achieve this."