Forum Topic

Power outage Acton Hill tonight

10.30pm tonight and the power in the restaurant went off. Initially you think "did I pay the last bill" then "have we yanked out some wires" but then going outside we found that all the shops and flats above were out too.Luckily all our tables are candlelit so  we weren't plunged into darkness but with the music off and the ac off and the fridges and freezers off it was very quiet. Fortunately it wasn't at 8pm as we have been busy tonight but by 10.30pm we still had 3 tables. In true British resilience the two business ladies who had spreadsheets and business plans strewn over their table carried on by candlelight til 11pm.Great we still had a phone line but not great the modem didn't work for credit card authorisations. Great the water was on but not the boiler so no hot water.Our neighbours said that SE would arrive at midnight. Too late, we closed up the best we could hoping we'd switched and unplugged everything.I hope this is our one and only outage this year.

David P Archer ● 4627d8 Comments

There rare outages are a nuisance but they are rare (at present) and just have to be put up with.

Susan Kelly ● 4626d

It is important to make a note of what you notice works and what doesn't so that you are more prepared next time.I remember mobiles coming into their own to let people into the office as the intercom and switchboard weren't working.

Philippa Bond ● 4626d

So, you may think, how long was the power outage? An hour? Or two? Nope! SE have just got the power on now. 10.30 pm to 5.30pm! That's 19 hours! Just in time for us to open but not much fun for the businesses either side or the residents in the flats upstairs.

David P Archer ● 4626d

How bizarre, I live virtually opposite your restaurant David and have had no problems with power. What area was affected? That's a long time to be without power, particularly for a business.

M Vincic ● 4626d

Yes it's just the row of shops this side plus the flats above. SE have just informed us they gave isolated the fault but may need to turn the power off again to fix it. Deep joy

David P Archer ● 4626d

Do you get any kind of compensation for lost revenue? Presumably fridges not working meant spoiled food? Or are you just supposed to suck it up....

M Vincic ● 4626d

Spoiled food in fridges and freezers is normally covered by your own insurance.

Susan Kelly ● 4626d

I think Enzo has had to close all day so they may well seek compensation. We shall in the spirit of the blitz carry on regardless. We have warned customers that the power may go but as we cook with gas we shall deliver

David P Archer ● 4626d