A power outage struck the heart of Brighton this Sunday, affecting numerous shops and pubs during one of the busiest trading periods of the year.

UK Power Networks reported the incident at 13:42, citing an underground cable fault as the primary cause. Initially, the power cut disrupted electricity to 2,181 properties. Rapid response teams worked to restore power, successfully bringing it back to several areas. Despite these efforts, approximately 872 properties remain without power.

The impact of the outage is particularly severe given the timing. Sundays are crucial for local businesses, especially pubs and shops, which rely heavily on weekend foot traffic. The power cut comes as a significant blow to these establishments, already navigating the challenges of a post-pandemic market.

UK Power Networks has issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and assured that their teams are working tirelessly to restore power to the remaining affected areas. They have not provided an estimated time for complete power restoration but have promised regular updates.