BBC Look East Storm Damage
Introduction to the Issue
BBC Look East’s weekend bulletins were forced to broadcast from a different location due to storm damage from rainwater in the regional television studio. The studio, located in the Forum in Norwich, suffered damage to cameras, lights, and other equipment after a thunderstorm in the early morning hours of Saturday.
Impact on Broadcasting
The evening bulletin at 5:40 p.m. BST could not be transmitted, and a combined regional service was broadcast from BBC London instead. A BBC spokesman stated, "Rainwater in the Look East studio is affecting technical equipment." While repairs are being made, East TV bulletins will be shared with BBC London, featuring stories from both regions.
Affected Areas and Services
The water is believed to have seeped through the ceiling in the city center. Fortunately, radio and online newsroom operations, also located in the Forum, were not affected. The Sunday transmission of Politics East also went ahead as scheduled. BBC Look East covers a wide area, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, and Suffolk.
Storm Damage in the City
Some shops in the Norwich city center were also affected by the thunderstorms on Saturday. In John Lewis, on All Saints Green, women’s clothing rails were protected on one side of the shop and covered with polythene. The company stated that the rain caused problems before it opened on Saturday, resulting in the temporary closure of parts of the gift and jewelry sections.
Response from Affected Businesses
A John Lewis spokesman apologized for the inconvenience and appreciated the patience of customers while they responded to the heavy rain. "Thanks to our team’s hard work, our business is operating as usual," they said. Similarly, buyers in Marks and Spencer were warned by employees that the ground floor had been affected. A company spokeswoman stated, "Our business on Rampant Horse Street only saw a small impact and is now open as normal for trade."
