Storm Babet forces restaurant to shut after powerful waves crash through window

21 October 2023 , 15:44

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Waves crashed through a window at the Old Chain Pier on Friday night (Image: Facebook/Old Chain Pier)

Footage captures massive waves crash through a window of a popular restaurant amid Storm Babet.

The Old Chain Pier in Newhaven, Edinburgh, has had to close due to the immense force of the storm. Staff had asked customers to "bear with them" while they fixed the damage caused by the "magnificent" waves. Scotland is currently under weather warnings due to huge waves along the Forth, seen on both the East Lothian and Edinburgh coastlines.

A rare red weather warning has been issued for parts of eastern Scotland until 6pm, while 133,000 people were left without power on Friday as a result of the storm. Across England, there were more than 360 flood warnings this morning, and major incidents were declared by both Suffolk and Derbyshire county councils.

On Friday afternoon, the restaurant told customers: "What a night!" and "Those magnificent waves have caused some pretty significant damage to our wee pub, so please bear with us while we make the relevant repairs. We are still open, with some tables or sections out of action until they dry out!"

However, after waves fully crashed through the window, the restaurant had to close completely. They updated customers saying: "Due to significant damage to our exterior, interior, electrics, plumbing and nerves - with thanks to Storm Babet, we will be closed until (hopefully) October 21 at 5pm. Pray we dry out and can welcome you back ASAP."

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General manager at Old Chain Pier, January Watson, spoke about the amount of damage caused. She told Edinburgh Live: "We've seen worse storms than that in the past, but this has been the most significant damage we've seen in a long time.

"As the storm gained momentum, the waves began to crash against our panoramic windows, slowly creeping through the gaps in the sash and case windows in the corners. Tea towels went in to try to block the gaps and minimise water ingress overnight. This morning, our opening chef walked in to find a broken window, which had set off the intruder and fire alarms.

"The winds had blown our furniture all over the place, water has come in through the roof which has shorted some of our electrics. An external Halogen Lamp, which lights up the beach at night, has been ripped clean off the wall."

"We've made everything safe, the broken window has been panelled temporarily, so we are hoping people still come along to see us - the repairs will come with a significant cost, as the building is in a conservation area, so we can't afford to lose trade!"

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Lee Dalgetty