WINCHESTER's biggest pub has fully reopened after flooding caused it to shut for several days.

The monsoon that hit on Thursday August 1  caused significant damage to Wetherspoons's  The Old Gaolhouse in Jewry Street.

A tennis ball is thought to have blocked drainage and diverted water into the building and down into the pub on the ground floor. Water leaked through the ceiling into the bar and got into the electrics, forcing an early closure.

However, pub goers will be pleased to know that the work has now been completed meaning the pub has recently reopened for business as usual.

Hannah Shorthouse, manager, said regulars have been pleased with the refurbishment work.

She said: “We found out the flooding was actually caused by a tennis ball which was stuck in the ceiling, we had to close between August 19-24 so the flooring and ceiling work could take place. We haven’t had any issues with the ceiling since the flooding happened and regulars are very pleased with the new work.

“It’s actually not the first time something like this has happened, a few years ago we had a leak from the ceiling after an upstairs tap was left on in a student accommodation room.”

At the time of the flooding, water was leaking through the ceiling which caused “sparks and a bang” leading to a light fitting detaching from the wall.

Other Winchester establishments were hit by the storm including the Theatre Royal in Jewry Street who had to call off a kids’ production an hour before it was due to start after water damaged the playhouse’s electrical system.