ELPHICKS department store in West Street suffered a minor flood on Friday afternoon following a sudden downpour of rain.

Lightning flashes and a few cracks of thunder proceeded a heavy shower at around 3.30pm, overwhelming the store’s guttering.

Flood water poured through ceiling tiles on Elphicks' first floor, but staff were able to quickly move any threatened stock out of harm’s way.

The rain soon relented and the store had a water pump on hand to suck up the excess water, avoiding any lasting damage.

Guildford’s Friary Centre was less fortunate, however, with reports suggesting the ground floor of the shopping centre had to be evacuated after it was overwhelmed by flood water on Friday.

It comes as Elphicks, Farnham’s iconic Victorian department store, is currently undergoing a major £2 million refurbishment.

The substantial investment, which includes a 3,000 square foot extension to the rear of the 137-year-old department store, will provide a new “destination” fashion floor and bed department, as well as “the best lingerie department in Surrey” and, for the first time in Elphick’s history, air conditioning.

A redesigned menswear department will run the entire length of the first floor, including a new formal suit offering and shoes.

Many internal walls have already been removed and long-forgotten windows uncovered to create a bright and airy first floor, centred around the larger, more contemporary ‘Heidi’s’ restaurant - completed during the first phase of the works in November 2016, together with a larger toy section.

New ceilings and lighting will also be installed to freshen up the interior of the store, which was last refurbished in the early 1990s, and its popular haberdashery and greetings cards departments will be retained.

The refurbishment is currently ahead of schedule, to be completed this October.