A second business owner in the Shobnall area of Burton has told how he has had issues with flooding outside his premises.

Hufaleh Ibrahem, who has been the owner of O'satsuma, a mini market in Waterloo Street for nine years, says there is a flooding issue outside his store whenever it rains which is becoming a health hazard.

"If I lived in Africa, there would be no blame, but I live in the United Kingdom. If they want money, I'll give it to them," Mr Ibrahem told the Burton Mail.

He claims this has been an ongoing issue since 2016 and that he has reported it to the authorities on previous occasions.

He added that it can only take five minutes of rain to leave large puddles in front of his store, which then make it difficult for customers to get inside.

These puddles can then stay for four or five days, due to the drains on the road being clogged and in need of clearing, he claims.

Mr Ibrahem said: "The problem is people park, come out and put their feet in the water and come in the shop. It's going to be dirty and it's going to smell.

"Children can come in, touch the floor which is dirty from the water outside. It comes right up to the curb and up. It really needs to be sorted out. You can't see the curb, you can't see the road.

Flooding on Waterloo Street
Flooding on Waterloo Street

"Anybody walking along, and a car comes past - you are wet. When people drive, I have to shut the shop door because the water splashes inside the shop.

"People cannot park and they won't come in. If you pull you, you'd have to come out into the water, so instead they drive away."

Earlier this month, a Burton councillor urged residents and business owners to complain about any flooding they come across.

Councillor Paul Walker, representative for the Shobnall ward on East Staffordshire Borough Council, said most of his time was taken up with these issues, even though such roads issues are dealt with by Staffordshire County Council.

The Labour councillor wants residents to get in touch with the county council should there be any issues with roadside flooding or potholes.

He highlighted the issue alongside Zaowlafqar Khan, the owner of Haji Halal Meat, in Edward Street, Burton.

Mr Khan claimed that every time it rained, a deep puddle forms in front of his store and can stay there for up to 'two weeks'. He added that this has been an issue for years, even before he took ownership eight years ago.

Councillor Walker said: "This is one of the worst streets for it, because it's the same all the way down the road.

"It's the same message because these guys are suffering. It's not just one example, I can take you to about seven, eight, nine examples.

"These guys are losing business through it, and it's not right, it's unhealthy and unhygenic. They're even offering to pay themselves, and that shouldn't be. They pay taxes and the rates."

Councillor Walker wants residents who spot potholes or roadside flooding in the Shobnall area to get in touch with Staffordshire County Council on 0300 111 8000 to file a report.