Strathspey rains flood out popular restaurant just as re-opening was finally on menu
One of Grantown's most popular eateries has found to its cost once and for all that it never rains but it pours.
Just days from finally re-opening after months of lockdown and shut-down, Just Delicious on the High Street was hit by a ferocious freak rainstorm on Sunday which has washed out any hopes of next week's big return.
"We couldn't believe it," Annette Bruce told the Strathy today as the big clean up got going – again.
It was only four months ago that, just as they were preparing to take advantage of relaxed Covid-19 restrictions, the business suffered a brutal cold snap which prompted burst pipes which meant new kitchen equipment had to be arranged.
"It was seventeen below and it caused us a load of problems when the pipes burst. We had just about recovered from that, with new electricals and new flooring and we really did think we would be opening within days."
The family-run restaurant and bakery, celebrated for its home-made quiches, cakes and confectionery, has not been open since Christmas, with staff furloughed in accordance with the pandemic regulations.
Everything was geared for an early spring re-opening – albeit it just a take-away service – when February's burst put paid to their plans.
By the weekend the finishing touches were being put to the repairs, replacements and refurbishments and the family were out for a walk, when the weather changed.
"We got home to a phone call from our neighbour on the High Street warning us that the rain had been so heavy that there was a deluge and it was over a foot deep at our door."
When they checked their hearts sank on finding the pressure had been so great that filthy, muddy water had flowed into the building to ruin their new flooring.
"We're the last one in a lane of properties," said Mrs Bruce, "so we naturally got the worst of it."
Now the work starts again to get Just Delicious up and running for its eventual re-opening.
"We don't have a precise date yet but it will be as soon as possible. We'll be posting our customers and friends just as soon as we're ready. But it will just a take-away service from then on."