'It’s a bit of good luck after a run of bad luck': Award for Cork business damaged by flood

A businesswoman who had to move her beauty business out of her home after it was flooded during Storm Babet has won an award for ‘best business employing less than 10 people’ in the Glanmire Chamber Awards which were presented at the weekend.

Aisling McEvoy operated Vision of Beauty in her home at Copper Valley Vue in Glanmire up until October 17, 2023, the day Storm Babet struck.

She had to relocate her business to the local GAA clubhouse because of the flood damage to her home.

It has been a hard time for Aisling since October 2023.

“I had to go from working from home and, within a week, I had moved over to the GAA hall the first time and set up as much as I could there,” Aisling said, adding that it was crucial that she moved fast for the busy period coming up to Christmas.

She was set up there for a year, but then she had to move again, because the club needed the room.

“So I had to go searching for a new premises on top of Christmas this year,” she explained.

In the weeks after the storm caused extensive flood damage to her family home, she had to go out to work every day and return each evening and live upstairs, as the downstairs was uninhabitable.

The business is now based in the Ketogym building in Brooklodge Business Park.

The win in her hometown’s awards means a lot to Aisling.

“It’s a bit of good luck, finally, after a run of bad luck,” she said.

“Winning the best business award after enduring devastating floods and relocating twice within 14 months is a deeply emotional and validating moment for me.

“It symbolises not just resilience and hard work, but also the unwavering support of my community.”

It was a double success for Aisling on the night, because she is also a member of the Glanmire First Responders’ Group, which won the best voluntary organisation award.