Storm Ciara: Rushden Lakes evacuated and ‘exclusion zone’ set up

Rushden Lakes customers have reported being evacuated from the building. This image was posted on social media.

The leisure complex at Rushden Lakes has been evacuated and firefighters have set up an exclusion zone after external cladding began to blow off in gale force winds this lunchtime.

The state-of-the-art complex has only been open since June last year.

But today Storm Ciara proved too much and the building, including 360 Play, was evacuated at about 1pm.

Cineworld, 360 Play and neighbouring buildings will remain closed until further notice.

Other shops are still open but advice from weather forecasters is that the storm is likely to peak in the mid afternoon with gusts of up to 80mph hitting our area.