A Lancaster city centre pavement was cordoned off after a shopkeeper found a 'sinkhole' outside his store.
Paul Cusimano of Joseph & Co gentleman's clothing store on North Road said he discovered the hole on Tuesday afternoon after "the loudest thud I have ever heard".
Council officers and police were called, and the hole was cordoned off as Mr Cusimano said "there was, and is, a real risk of more of the pavement falling in".
Mr Cusimano said he'd previously heard "the occasional dull low thud of the loose paving stones outside the shop, that came loose following the storm of August 20 during which the shop flooded".
"It had been reported to the county council and it was likely to get sorted in the next week or so," he posted on the Joseph & Co Facebook page.
"Then shortly after 4pm (on Tuesday) the loudest thud I have ever heard. I rushed to see if there had been an accident, but instead found a 'sink hole'. A sink hole right outside my shop, no less.
The hole in the pavement. Photo: Joseph & Co
"Fortunately, two officers from Lancaster City Council were on hand. Immediately both began phoning council colleagues, the police and county council.
"They were sending photos, frantically looking to get the area cordoned off as there was, and is, a real risk of more of the pavement falling in.
"Me, I was obviously concerned about public safety, but also fascinated to discover an underground doorway into the basement area that had long since been sealed off, and a large void.
"Did stairs service this entrance? When was it sealed up? How did the street outside the properties once look ?
"These thoughts had continued to swirl around inside my head long after the police, further council officers, and two bods from county, had come to assess, make the area secure, and had gone."
Photo credit: Joseph & Co
Mr Cusimano said the shop is open as usual but customers "will have a slightly more distant view of the window".
He also thanked officers from both city and county councils, who "acted with incredible professionalism and speed, and to the volunteer who took charge of the shop for me, Lorraine, whilst I was outside nattering".
Mr Cusimano has also posted on the Totally Local Lancaster Morecambe District Page to ask: "How did this road look in days gone by? Has anyone got any photos, sketches or maps that might shed light on how this doorway was once accessed?
"Thankfully nobody was hurt whatsoever, and it is likely to cause my business some disruption, but the old city landscape does absolutely fascinate me."
Joseph & Co was one of the businesses which was flooded when heavy rain hit the Lancaster and Morecambe area on Thursday August 20.
Beyond Radio has contacted Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council for comment.
A spokesman for Lancaster City Council, said: “Two Lancaster City Council staff members were nearby when the sinkhole appeared and acted quickly to help keep the public safe. They alerted the council and remained on site until other services arrived.
“The council enacted its emergency response protocol and put barriers in place to protect the public and minimise disruption to nearby businesses.
“Responsibility for the highway rests with Lancashire County Council, and we will continue to support the multi-agency response as needed.”
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