The government has pledged to ease the plight of flood-hit retailers with a series of measures, including a limited period of relief on their business rates.
Prime Minister David Cameron told companies affected by the rising waters: "We will be deferring the tax payments that businesses have to pay, and all of the businesses that have been affected by floods will get 100% business rate relief."

The concession on rates will last for three months, and affected businesses will also be able to get a grant of £5,000 to improve their flood protection.

The business rates relief will be administered by local authorities, and reimbursed by central government. Flood-damaged businesses will also be allowed to defer payment of VAT, PAYE and corporation tax for three months while they recover.

Retailers up and down the country have been badly affected by the severe weather, which has caused havoc in the south-west, the Thames and Severn regions, Wales and most recently the north-west.