Power cut warning for restaurants and pubs on Holloway Road

Restaurants and pubs on London’s Holloway Road have been warned of potential power cuts that could last up to an hour as a result of local authority construction work.

In an updated statement, Transport for London said: “During the following weekend of 30 September to 1 October, UK Power Networks (UKPN) will switch over the power connection to the new mains cable one business at a time. If all works cannot be completed during this time, we will liaise directly with the remaining premises to arrange a suitable time.

“To keep disruption to a minimum, the power switch will be done outside of your business trading hours. However, there will be a temporary loss of power to each premise while the works are carried out – UKPN estimate power loss may be between 30 mins and one hour maximum. Our project liaison officer, Kaya Huseyin, will be visiting you over the coming days to discuss the power switch and agree a time schedule for works.”

It comes after a restaurant in north London criticised Transport for London and Islington Council for their “complete lack of thought and care” for businesses at risk of experiencing power outages as a result of the construction works.

Mandy Yin, chef-owner of Sambal Shiok on Hollway Road, posted her concerns on Instagram last week (13 September), where she expressed fears that power outages at her restaurant could last “for several hours overnight best case, worst case for several days”.

“Obviously as a restaurant we cannot have any power outages as we have many fridges and freezers with valuable stock. We are still trying desperately to get a clear idea of when the power will be cut as we cannot open if this happens,” she said.

She added: “We had no notice that these significant works were going to start, and still absolutely in the dark about exactly what is happening and when. It is looking likely that these works will last for weeks, possibly months.”

The work on Hollway Road is due to complete by 25 October and is aimed at making the area “a safer and more pleasant place to live and visit”, according to Transport for London.

The local government body said it had written to residents and local businesses prior to work starting to share information about the project.

It added it is “speaking to its letter distribution company to confirm that all letters were delivered as intended”, as Sambal Shiok had been included in its letter drop area.

Julie Lewington, Transport for London’s head of projects and programmes, told The Caterer: “We’re working to minimise the impact of construction work and we’re very sorry any disruption caused. We continue to speak to local businesses and are looking into the concerns that they have raised to ensure that we are doing everything possible to support them. We’ll continue to work with our contractor and utility companies to carry out this vital work as quickly as possible.”

Transport for London had previously told Yin that UKPN only envisaged “split second outages when they transfer across to generators”.

Shambal Shiok has been approached for comment.