BUSINESSES have expressed “huge relief” after gas supplies were restored to most of Island Energy’s customers after nearly a week-long outage.
However, owners of Gorey-based hospitality businesses in the east of the Island, Entwhistles Fish and Chip Shop and the Moorings Hotel and Restaurant have warned about the upcoming “fight for compensation”.
Matthew Jones, owner of the Moorings Hotel, spoke to the JEP yesterday morning as the hotel’s gas was being turned back on by engineers.
Island Energy confirmed on Thursday that after the plant ran without fault for 24 hours, and following successful checks of the supply at key points throughout the Island, supplies would be restored to most homes by the end of Friday.
Their 4,400 customers (including 400 businesses) are being reconnected in two phases, depending on whether they could self-restore or needed an engineer visit.
The second phase is still ongoing, with some who need an engineer visit potentially waiting until tomorrow.
Mr Jones said: “It’s a huge relief, after not knowing all week when and if it would be switched back on and not getting clear messaging from Island Energy.
“Last Saturday, we lost about 75% of bookings, and while we made alternative arrangements, and bought a big woodfire to cook with on Sunday, we haven’t been able to offer our full menu.
“We haven’t known when or whether to order food and supplies in. We thought the gas was turning on Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday, and we were finally called last night at 9.30pm and told it would be this morning.”
He continued: “We are definitely going to count up all our losses and costs and see if there’s compensation from Island Energy. They have said they will communicate with customers as to what – or if – compensation will be provided.
“But it’s been so frustrating, not being able to run a business as you would wish to, and everything had to be put on a back-burner this week. It’s not just financial cost, it’s the time it’s taken all of us. We haven’t done anything other than to try and figure out how to keep our business open and customers happy.”
Earlier this week, Jon de Gruchy of Ent-whistles Fish and Chip Shop said that he was facing losses of £10,000 due to the outage.
On Thursday night, Entwhistles was visited by gas engineers at around 6pm and the supply was turned back on, but he was unable to make any sales as he had to run his machine for around five hours to make sure there were no air bubbles in the gas system.
The fish and chip shop was “back up and running” yesterday, with Mr de Gruchy hoping for a lively evening. He urged Islanders to support restaurants and takeaways over the weekend, after many missed out on almost a week of business. And the Entwhistles owner said that the “next step” was the fight for compensation.
“Even if my insurance covers the losses, I’ll still carry on fighting for compensation for the sake of other people who might be in the same boat,” said Mr de Gruchy.
