Essex pub still without power after St Jude storm

Mitch Adams, who runs the Thatchers Arms in Mount Bures said the pub has had no power since 7:30am on Monday, when the storm swept across the UK. The pub is closed on Mondays and Adams said he hoped he could run the pub as normal on Tuesday but there was still no electricity.

It means the pub has no working lights, till, card machine or cellar cooler. Adams has hired a generator in order to run two fridges and one light in the pub’s kitchen.

Trade loss​

Adams said he has had to throw away in excess of £1,000 worth of food, which he hopes will be covered by his insurance, and his turnover was down by between £600 and £1,000 yesterday. He said UK Power Networks informed him on Tuesday that if he is still without power after 48 hours he should be entitled to compensation.

“We have stayed open and we cook on gas so we have been able to offer soup and serve beer by candlelight,” he told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser​.

“It would be nice to trade properly and serve proper food – it’s half term so we have lost a lot of trade at lunchtime and in the evenings.

“Yesterday someone arrived to take our electric meter reading. I was less than polite.”

Blocked roads​

To make matters worse, three of the main roads leading to the pub are currently blocked due to fallen trees and resurfacing, which is unrelated to the storm, so customers can only access the pub if they know an alternative route through back roads.

Adams said he will be seeking compensation once his electricity is restored.

Power supplies​

Around 22,600 properties in the east of England and 2,600 in the south-east are still without power. UK Power Networks said it aims to have 98% of its power supplies affected by the storm restored by the end of today and the final few by the end of the week.

Director of customer services Matt Rudling said: “This is the first time we have worked with the council in this way, and it’s one of a range of ways we are trying to help customers who are still without power. We have also been sending customer service staff and British Red Cross volunteers, who we work in partnership with, to other locations to offer practical help.

“I would like to thank people who are still without power for their patience, and stress that we are working to restore all supplies as quickly as is safely possible.”

Is your pub still affected by the storm? Please send any comments and pictures to ellie.bothwell@wrbm.com​