SCORES of Poynton shopkeepers are demanding compensation from United Utilities over two separate 12-hour power cuts which cost them "hundreds of thousands of pounds" in trade.

A total of 157 stores and homes in the Park Lane district were plunged into darkness last week after fuses blew at two local electricity substations.

At lunchtime on Wednesday (December 3), 100 properties blacked out for 12 hours, and restaurants and grocers saw thousands of pounds of fish, ice cream and other goods ruined when fridges and freezers failed.

The Co-op Pharmacy turned away elderly customers who needed prescriptions processed after computers failed, and next door’s supermarket had to shut down.

After power was temporarily restored around midnight, electricity was cut again at 9.40am on Thursday to the 100 already affected – and another 57 properties.

United Utilites, who provide electricity in Poynton, said they would not "shirk responsibility" and apologised for the cut.

The night before the first cut, village retailers had celebrated a boost to trade during the hugely successful Poynton Fest street party, with Christmas shopping until 9pm. But all the good business was undone by the power failure.

Keith Lambert, owner of Mates DIY on Park Lane, and spokesman for Poynton Partnership of Traders, said: "While we can’t put an actual figure on what the power cut cost, it runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"Poynton Fest was just what retailers needed. Times are hard on the high street. All of the good work was undone by the power cut."

Kevin Burgess, manager of Mates, said: "The PR that United Utilities had on this was disgusting. They should have had someone down here last week apologising and letting us know what was going on. We just didn’t have a clue how long the power cut was going to last."

A spokesman for United Utilities said two fuses blew, which caused the cut.

He added: "We would like to make it clear that we are not shirking responsibility for this, and would like to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers. We will be dealing with compensation claims on a case by case basis."

Any United Utilities customers who would like to seek compensation can call customer services on 0845 746 2200.