Power cut in city

Businesses and homes in the Lowesmoor area were among 62 properties without power following a a low voltage fault between 9.30am and 9.45am, today.

Businesses were still without power at noon but engineers from Central Networks were on the scene. It was initially thought the fault was with a fuse, however, a line problem is now suspected.

Among the firms which were affected was the Aldi supermarket in Pheasant Street, the Staples stationary store and Tilleys Sandwich Shop.

Peter Griffin, owner of Tilleys, said fridges, cash tills, fax machine and all his cooking appliances had been put out of action by the problem.

“We’ve ground to a halt. I hope it’s back on by lunch,” he said.

“I managed to get some delivered orders out this morning but it’s going to take a half hour to get the griddles up to temperature.

“Thank goodness for the church [Elim Pentecostal Church] as they have lent us a phone so at least I can let customers know what is going on.”

Nearby, a staff member at the Aldi supermarket said the store had been closed since about 9.45am with the lights and fridge freezers out.

Ian Skitt, Staples’ store general manager, said they were offering a personal shopper service at the door for customers who needed certain items.

“We can’t use the tills, the lights are out but our staff know where the items are and we’ve been able to greet people at the door, ask them what they want and get it for them,” he said.

“We’ve been selling a lot of fans lately so I thought it would be a good week to calculate my budget put I don’t think so after this.”

A Central Networks spokeswoman said: “About 62 commercial and residential properties were affected. We had our first calls around 10.06am.

“We're not quite sure where the fault is yet. We are trying to switch users onto a working part of the line and all but nine properties now have power." She added engineers will try to get the remaining homes and businesses switched on this afternoon.