A fundraiser has been launched to help one Marlborough restaurant recover from devastating flood damage caused by Storm Henk.

The Zaika Inn has served Indian cuisine to the people of Marlborough for the last 25 years, but the restaurant has been left almost unrecognisable after unprecedented floods swept under the doors on Friday, January 5, 2024.

Multiple fire, ambulance and police teams were called out to Marlborough on Friday to help residents out of their houses using boats and rafts.

London Road, where The Zaika Inn is located, was one of the worst-hit roads in Wiltshire, along with The Parade, Kennet Place and Angel Yard.

Images from inside the restaurant show the floor completely submerged in over a foot of flood water, while pots, pans and washing-up liquid can be seen floating through the kitchen-turned-lake.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Washing-up liquid can be seen floating through the flood water.Washing-up liquid can be seen floating through the flood water. (Image: Din Mohammed)

“We would never have imagined something this devastating to happen, let alone the aftermath to be so severe,” said Din Mohammed, owner of The Zaika Inn, who recently launched a GoFundMe.

“I have now had to close the business as not only have the walls and flooring been damaged, but all of our equipment and furniture too.”

The restaurant is not the only food establishment in Marlborough facing devastation, as Roy Meek, the owner of Krumbz Cafe, told the BBC "there is nothing left" of his shop after the flooding last week.

Although the total cost of damage to the town has not yet been calculated, the damage to The Zaika Inn has now left Mr Mohammed with a £20,000 bill to cover.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The Zaika Inn is closed for the foreseeable future.The Zaika Inn is closed for the foreseeable future. (Image: Din Mohammed)

Speaking about his decision to set up a GoFundMe page, Mr Mohammed from The Zaika Inn explained:

“Unfortunately our insurance policy does not cover flood damage as we are located on low-lying ground.

“However, the cost of repair is quite high as the floors have to be stripped and redone.

“Kitchen equipment needs to be replaced, the walls have to be dried out and redone and there are many other jobs in order to restore the restaurant back to a safe and healthy standard.

“I am hoping the people of Marlborough are open to helping out in order for us to start running again so we can continue doing what we do best – which is filling people’s bellies.”

Currently, £738 has been raised on The Zaika Inn GoFundMe page, but the fundraiser still has a long way to go if it is to get close to Mr Mohammed's £20,000 target.