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Soho power cut: Shops, bars and restaurants closed Soho power cut: Shops, bars and restaurants closed
(about 1 hour later)
A power cut has left parts of London's Soho without electricity, causing shops and restaurants to close.A power cut has left parts of London's Soho without electricity, causing shops and restaurants to close.
The power went off at about 13:00 GMT, closing Oxford Circus Tube Station, which reopened after 15:40 GMT.The power went off at about 13:00 GMT, closing Oxford Circus Tube Station, which reopened after 15:40 GMT.
UK Power Networks, which runs the local grid, said the majority of customers had now had their power restored but engineers were still at work.UK Power Networks, which runs the local grid, said the majority of customers had now had their power restored but engineers were still at work.
Most of Old Compton Street and several side streets leading on to it are without still power.Most of Old Compton Street and several side streets leading on to it are without still power.
About 137 properties were affected by the power cut, close to Oxford Circus.About 137 properties were affected by the power cut, close to Oxford Circus.
'Trading again'
Earlier, trains were unable to stop at the Tube station because its escalators and communications systems were not working.Earlier, trains were unable to stop at the Tube station because its escalators and communications systems were not working.
'Trading again'
UK Power Networks said: "We understand how much inconvenience this incident is causing and are doing everything possible to resolve the problem as quickly as we can."UK Power Networks said: "We understand how much inconvenience this incident is causing and are doing everything possible to resolve the problem as quickly as we can."
Hundreds of people voiced their displeasure on Twitter.Hundreds of people voiced their displeasure on Twitter.
One user wrote: "Power cut in Soho, London. Spooky walking through it and seeing shops closed in the afternoon."One user wrote: "Power cut in Soho, London. Spooky walking through it and seeing shops closed in the afternoon."
Another added: "Oxford Circus station is closed. Of much greater concern, all the pubs are shut."Another added: "Oxford Circus station is closed. Of much greater concern, all the pubs are shut."
Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster Council, said he was "extremely concerned".Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster Council, said he was "extremely concerned".
BBC reporter Ed Davey said some small shops were serving customers by candlelight, but restaurants and pubs had closed.BBC reporter Ed Davey said some small shops were serving customers by candlelight, but restaurants and pubs had closed.
Old Compton Street is one of the main drags of Soho and usually thronging with people on a Friday evening.Old Compton Street is one of the main drags of Soho and usually thronging with people on a Friday evening.
'Absolutely furious'
Gerry's Wines and Spirits on Old Compton Street was still trading by candlelight.Gerry's Wines and Spirits on Old Compton Street was still trading by candlelight.
But manager Allen Daly said: "I am absolutely furious - this happens every year at Christmas time.But manager Allen Daly said: "I am absolutely furious - this happens every year at Christmas time.
'Absolutely furious'
"We have sold one 10th of what we would normally do.""We have sold one 10th of what we would normally do."
He continued: "It's the modern era - yet we've had to write every sale down.He continued: "It's the modern era - yet we've had to write every sale down.
"It'll take three hours tomorrow to ring everything through.""It'll take three hours tomorrow to ring everything through."
Cherie Lust-Robinson, general manager of Med Kitchen, on Old Compton Street, said the restaurant had had to cancel bookings which she estimated might have cost them £8,000.Cherie Lust-Robinson, general manager of Med Kitchen, on Old Compton Street, said the restaurant had had to cancel bookings which she estimated might have cost them £8,000.
She said: "It's ruined what would be the busiest Friday of the whole year. That's not ideal.She said: "It's ruined what would be the busiest Friday of the whole year. That's not ideal.
"We had to cancel several parties and send them to our other branches.""We had to cancel several parties and send them to our other branches."
But one of her chefs added: "All the chefs are very happy - no more work today."But one of her chefs added: "All the chefs are very happy - no more work today."
New West End Company, which represents retailers in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, said electricity supplies had been disrupted for "just under an hour" and shops were now trading again.New West End Company, which represents retailers in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, said electricity supplies had been disrupted for "just under an hour" and shops were now trading again.
Have you been affected by the power cut in Soho? Send us your stories using the form below.Have you been affected by the power cut in Soho? Send us your stories using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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