A CARLISLE gastropub has been forced to close temporarily due to flooding.

The Old Bank, on Fisher Street in the Historic Quarter, had to shut after an overnight dishwasher malfunction.

Staff found eight inches of water in the kitchen and the water had leaked to the toilets downstairs.

Matt Rayson, the owner, said: "It’s a bit of a nightmare because we’ve only just had everything redecorated.

"It’s unfortunate, we’re probably having to close until we get it sorted. We’re trying to ring round bookings, we can’t do anything but apologise at the moment.

"It’s going to be a little wait. We’re hoping [to reopen] next week but it could be a couple of weeks time."

Mr Rayson said that the new kitchen floor and island will have to be replaced.

He estimates that it will cost between £15,000 and £20,000.

He also expected the gastropub's takings to be between £12,000 and £15,000 for the coming weekend.

Mr Rayson added: "After the last two years, that’s not what we want to be doing, to be closed again.

"Three lockdowns and now a water leak, I think we’ve had enough.

"It’s a big chunk of money which is just down the drain. It’s just one of these unfortunate things which we’ve never experienced before and I hope we don’t experience again."

He added: "At least there was no one here [when it happened] and no one’s been hurt."