Hartley Wintney and Hook businesses damaged by flooding

Shops in the area were forced to close last night (August 1) after heavy rain swept down the road, entering businesses including hair salons, gift shops, wine bars and more.

Lea Shaw, the owner of hairdresser Rural Fringe, located along the main road, said that she had seen 'nothing like it' in her 13 years of running the salon.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: Basingstoke hit by flash floods causing chaos across the town

She said: "The rain was really short but the whole high street was underwater.

"We are below ground level, so the stairs, the carpet, and everything was ruined. The water came through our front wall, through the door.

"The electric box was at the front, so that will have to be ripped out and replaced."

Staff at the Rural Fringe (Image: Lea Shaw) The 41-year-old added that despite the flooding, the salon was able to reopen today, August 2 as staff and clients helped to mop up the water.

She continued: "I had clients and everyone else messaging to ask if I needed help. We had a local carpenter who came over in ten minutes to help with the carpet.

"We're open, and it smells a bit damp and musty, but we're coping."

Auriol Wines will remain closed over the next few days (Image: Google Map)

Specialist wine and spirits shop Auriol Wines, owned by 57-year-old John Carlisle, has been forced to shut this weekend due to the flooding.

"They [the employees] rang up saying that the water was pouring through the front door and they couldn't stop it," explained John.

"We made the decision not to open the shop I decided that we needed to make sure everything was cleared up first."

The owner said that they were flooded once before, approximately 25 years ago, but that it 'was not as bad'.

He explained that people were coming along to help out, with one resident dedicating three hours of her time to help.

He added: "We've had a tough summer so it's not ideal, but you've got to get it all clean and right first."

John said he is hoping the shop can reopen next week.

SEE ALSO: Tesco reopens after closure due to heavy flooding

The Crooked Billet in Hook (Image: The Crooked Billett)

Located on the bank of the River Whitewater, The Crooked Billet in Hook, a pub specialising in 'great food with lots of twists' had to ask customers to leave after water poured through the roof.

The pub, which opened just three weeks ago, received an 'onslaught of rain'.

Matt Clarke, who owns the establishment with his partner Jas Clarke, said: "It was coming through like someone had just put the taps on.

"Everyone jumped in and we managed to get all the furniture out, we had pots and pans and mops to try and catch the rain."

He explained that although the water has gone, it has damaged the wooden floor, meaning it would have to be replaced only weeks after it had been fitted.

The pub reopened at 5pm, 24 hours after the heavy rainfall. Matt said they had been cleaning throughout the whole night, with staff and friends helping to get rid of the water.

"Everyone just rallied up. There's a lady who runs a shack nearby and she came over with an order pad, offering us sandwiches and everything,"

Residents whose houses had been flooded used The Crooked Billet as a sanctuary as staff handed out candles, cups of tea and opened the facilities.

The Sainsbury's Supermarket in Hook reopened as normal today (August 2) after shutting early last night due to the rain.

Gift shop MiMi will also close 'for the foreseeable future' as the store became water-flogged.