THE landlady of a pub on Portland that was severely damaged by bad weather two years ago has said that extreme conditions can boost her business, after Storm Imogen hit the island.

The Cove House Inn, at Chiswell, was battered during storms in 2014, with slate ripped from the roof and bedrooms flooded.

Landlady Jackie Breakspear said:“It took us a long time to get straight
after the damage, but the publicity was great.

“It is just a case of us being vigilant and the one thing we have learnt is you
can’t fight mother nature.”

This year, the pub is prepared, with shutters ready to go across the windows.

Jackie said that the stormy spectacle had drawn more customers through
their doors.

“It is good for business because everyone wants to come and see the
waves,” she said.

“There were people here at 8am. The fire is lit and it is warm and
welcoming.”

Barry Allen visited The Cove House Inn after driving more than 50 miles
from Shepton Mallet in Somerset to experience Storm Imogen.

He said: “You do not get waves like it anywhere else. It is just the raw
elements here and it’s tremendous.”