Day-long power cut leaves Holmfirth in dark

Feb 13 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Day-long power cut leaves Holmfirth homes and businesses in cold and dark

AN all-day power cut left residents in the dark and businesses in chaos.

Shops and pubs around Holmfirth were forced to trade without lighting, heating or telephones as the electricity shut off from about 9am to midnight on Wednesday.

And a near fully-booked Old Bridge Hotel, Market Walk, had to find its guests alternative accommodation when the lights went out after breakfast.

Assistant manager Rachel Armstrong said: “We had to close for the day because the emergency power had gone for health and safety.

“Everyone was very understanding but we couldn’t charge them. It’s hard to say yet how much money we lost.

“There was no warning about it. We rang up the electricity board and they tried to be helpful but we didn’t find out until the evening what time the power was going back on.”

Meanwhile diners at Hervey’s Wine Bar, Norridge Bottom, gathered around the oven to stay warm at an impromptu candlelit sausage and mash supper.

Owner Hazel Shaw said: “We managed but only just. Then we had to close our doors because it was freezing. There was no warning or explanation.