Flooding 'a severe blow' to Hull's successful Port-Side Bistro
A NAUTICAL-THEMED restaurant has been forced to close over the Christmas period because of flooding.
Port-Side Bistro was expected to have been packed every night over the Christmas season.
However, a faulty water pipe in the wall has been blamed for causing the flood.
Owner Mark Duckett, 49, said he was hopeful the restaurant would be back open in time for the new year.
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He said: "We're going to have to knuckle down and get on with it.
"Worse things happen at sea.
"We were fully booked up to new year, right the way up, even Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.
"It's one of those things."
The bistro will be out of action for at least three weeks but he is hopeful they will be able to open their doors again by New Year's Eve.
Mr Duckett said: "It must have been leaking for months and it's reared its ugly head now."
The flood has caused severe water damage, meaning the floor and parts of the bar will have to be ripped out.
Set up by Mr Duckett and his wife Tracey last December, the flooding has come as a severe blow after such a successful start.
Mr Duckett said: "Over the past few months, we've been doing really well.
"The Christmas period is the big one, it carries you through to March."
Now, the couple will be forced to return all of the parties' booking deposits, which they had luckily kept in a separate account.
Turning away customers will have a huge knock-on effect for the business next year.
The cost is being calculated but they will need to reverse the damage and refurbish the restaurant, so Mr Duckett isn't optimistic.
He said: "We don't know yet but it's not going to come cheap.
"We still don't know the full extent of the damage."
The couple were planning to close up in January and get away while the business was quiet, but will now need to open to recover from the loss.
Mr Duckett is a keen sailor with his own boat on the docks.
He even used to live on the boat but is back on land now, living in east Hull.
The bistro in Princes Dock Street has been popular since its start up, thanks to the couple's dedication.
Mr Duckett said: "It's been the hardest 12 months of my life.
"It's like snakes and ladders, we'd just got up to 99, now we're back down to one."
However, he remains positive customers will come rushing back when it reopens.
He said: "It's going to be like starting all over again but at least we'll have a good client base."
"I'd just like to say sorry to all the people who booked and I hope they come back in the new year."
Comments
by GinJuice
Thursday, January 31 2013, 1:16PM
“All sorted with the owner of Port Side now, refunded the cost of the meal vouchers - very grateful, very open and honest about what has happened - completely put to rest the fears of what others had posted on here - totally not true. Thanks and hope to see you back open again soon! ;-)”
by Legal_Dept
Friday, January 18 2013, 5:57PM
“Gin Juice
Please email hull.portside@yahoo.com - We will refund you for the vouchers you bought, and give you Free vouchers to same value to use when we re-open.
Best Regards”
by GinJuice
Saturday, January 12 2013, 12:38AM
“When will this place be back open then? It seems to be taking an awful long time. I bought vouchers for this place as Christmas presents, yet the owners seem silent - no announcements or nothing!
I was told many other people had bought vouchers for Christmas when purchasing mine... is/was this place a scam? I'm certainly wondering after reading the comments posted!”
by cypher000
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 2:03PM
“By Gum Aimee27, I have to hand it to you and your fellow contributors, in that you seem to have mastered the black arts of libel and slander and seem to have a salacious appetite for pulling this mans business and reputation to shreds. Maybe the powers that be will latch onto your attempts and close in, to bring you to a halt with the appropriate libel and slander warrants. That's my New Year wish.”
by aimee27
Monday, December 31 2012, 9:46AM
“Ha ha you might be waiting a while. I've heard he's already bought another business and not bothering reopening. Correct me if im wrong?”
by cypher000
Thursday, December 27 2012, 2:45PM
“By gum lads and lassies. Can't you just taste those sour grapes? This guy is without doubt one of the best cooks I have ever encountered in good old ull. However it happened and for whatever reason, this guy is going to hang on in there and wait (impatiently) for it to re-open. Go to it Mark and take no notice of these decrepit moaners. Concentrate on the job of restoration and please save me a table opposite the kitchen so that I can enjoy that mozzarella chicken in Cajun sauce.”
by pedelrebel
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 10:52PM
“This is the same bloke who was in the press got caught smoking under his jacket on a trans Atlantic flight. About time you kept your head down Mark, and i dont just mean the fags : -]”
by india7
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 7:47PM
“It is really difficult to avoid feeling cynical about this story as it is so obviously all about cost/money! Mmmmm......”
by Strangley
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 6:11PM
“Had some good nights out here & was looking forward to the Christmas meal. Hope it's sorted for January”
by aimee27
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 5:12PM
“I think we all know whats going on here. defo an insurance claim. I rang to see what availability they had for next week and was told any evening. How convienient the deposit money was kept in a different account. Check out trip advisors latest comments on Mr Ducketts Bistro!!!!!!! Say no more”