The Stage

Westminster blames EDF for ‘outrageous’ power cuts in West End

Published Wednesday 18 November 2009 at 17:56 by Alistair Smith

Westminster City Council has hit out at energy company EDF after a power cut plunged the West End into darkness today and forced several productions to cancel shows.

This marks the third power cut in the West End since March this year, when a three-hour cut left 1,000 West End businesses without power. A similar event in June affected The Strand.

According to the council, 500 pensioners had been given free tickets to see Les Miserables for today’s matinee, but the performance had to be cancelled.

Cllr Danny Chalkley, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for city management, said: “It may have escaped EDF but there’s a recession on and businesses need help not hindrance.

“The West End has been plagued by many power cuts in recent years. Today’s power outage brought disruption to part of Shaftesbury Avenue and stopped some of the West End’s major shows.

“The theatre generates £1 billion a year so is vitally important to the economy. In addition 500 of Westminster’s pensioners were looking forward to seeing a matinee show, but their day out was ruined because of EDF, not forgetting the financial implications faced by other businesses in the area.

“I demand an assurance from EDF that they will take all the necessary precautions to make sure the West End does not continue to face this type of chaos.”