An east London shopping centre was forced to shut today after flooding caused by heavy rain.

The Stratford Centre had to close following "a sudden and heavy downpour of rain", a spokesperson for the venue said.

They claimed rainwater came into the centre after "council drains and rain gullies, which are located on the Broadway, outside the entrance to the shopping centre became blocked".

 

@m14h_official20 #king_0fficial20 #stratford #london #rain #flooded #desicooking4 #sunday#foryou ♬ Rain Rain Go Away - Plim Plim
@asmitathapa573 Uk’s weather be like #flood #uk #stratford #london #stratfordcenter #fypシ #foryoupage ♬ Oh No - Kreepa

Videos posted online on TikTok and Instagram by shocked onlookers and shoppers show the extent of the flooding in the shopping centre and the quick reaction from staff.

The centre spokesperson added: "Our security and cleaning staff worked tirelessly to clear the flooding and although we closed briefly the shopping centre reopened shortly after.”