A CINEMA and a pub were plunged into darkness during a power cut today.

Businesses and flats were also affected by the blackout, in Foregate Street, Worcester, between 8.15am and 1.30pm.

Power company E.ON UK said it had sent letters to all premises affected, warning them about the planned switch-off, but both the Odeon cinema and the Postal Order pub said they had not been notified.

The Odeon had to cancel eight shows on one of its busiest days and throw out its frozen stock when power was cut for upgrade work to be carried out.

It is the second time the cinema has been hit by a power cut this summer – a fuse blew in July during the screening of the new Batman film, the Dark Knight, and two screenings of Mamma Mia also had to be cancelled.

A spokesman for the cinema said: “Worcester was one of many local businesses to experience a power cut due to maintenance work being carried out by their electricity supplier.

“Unfortunately, Odeon were unable to forewarn guests, as the cinema and staff were not made aware that the power cut would be taking place.”

All guests who had already bought tickets were given Odeon gift vouchers, so that they can return to the cinema at a later date free of charge, or if they prefer, offered a full refund.

The blackout also meant the nearby Postal Order pub had to close.

A spokesman for the pub said she did not know until this morning that the power would be switched off.

A spokesman for energy company E.ON UK said: “It was a planned outage for upgrade work on a nearby substation and everyone who was affected received a card well in advance of today explaining the issues.”

He said power was returned at 1.30pm, which was actually earlier than expected.