Crown Plaza Hotel staff in Leeds remember how Boxing Day floods of 2015 'turned our world upside down'

The entire Leeds district was devastated by flooding 10 years ago when Storm Eva let rip over the city on Boxing Day 2015.

More than 3,300 properties were affected, of which 672 were businesses, and over £500m was spent on repairs in the aftermath.

One of those businesses most affected was the Crowne Plaza on Wellington Street, which was forced to close for two months after the rainfall, leading to £1.5m in lost revenue through the cancellation of over 3,000 bookings.

The venue’s basement, which hosted its IT systems, boilers and electrics, and its car park were completely submerged after the deluge turned Kirkstall Road and parts of the city centre into a river.

But after staff and contractors put all hands to the pump over eight weeks the revamped hotel reopened after £1.2m was spent.

Marketing manager Katie O’Hara remembers the events clearly and said that despite the devastation, the aftermath brought the team together and still inspires them to this day.

She said: “When the flash floods hit Leeds, none of us could have imagined how completely it would turn our world upside down.

“One moment we were focused on the familiar, day-to-day rhythm of hotel life, and the next we were facing the reality that the building would have to close for two months.

“Seeing the damage and locking the doors was heart-breaking. I was part of the team relocated to the Express Royal Armouries, where we handled all customer interactions and worked hard to reassure guests during a very uncertain time.”

She continued: “At the same time, we had to ensure there was always a team on-site at the hotel for security reasons. Even though the building was closed, it never felt abandoned.

“We made regular trips back, often armed with hot drinks and sweet treats, checking in on one another and lifting spirits however we could. Those small gestures meant a lot; they reminded us that even in the middle of disruption, we were still a team looking out for each other.”

Katie said that what sticks out to her most from the two months that the hotel was closed was the spirit shown by the team and how they responded.

“Instead of panic, there was a real sense of unity. Everyone pulled together, supporting one another through uncertainty and doing whatever was needed, even when reopening felt a long way off.

“Communication, patience, and resilience became our daily priorities, and the bond between team members grew stronger as we faced the challenge side-by-side.”

The hotel reopened on March 1 and was fully booked on its first night; while also going on to be nominated for a number of industry awards later in the year.

Katie said: “Those weeks tested us in ways we hadn’t experienced before, but they also showed the true character of the team. By the time we reopened, it felt like more than just unlocking the doors again. It felt like an achievement we had all earned together.

“The experience reminded me that while buildings can be damaged and plans can be disrupted, a committed team can carry an organisation through even the toughest moments.

“Ten years on, the memory of that terrible day stays with us, but we’ve also kept that same resilience and strength of spirit. It remains at the heart of the hotel, and will always help shape how the team works together and responds to future challenges with confidence and pride.”

The hotel subsequently had a full refurbishment in 2017 and then TAP, the hotel’s bar and restaurant was refurbished in 2023.