Town centre shops hit by power cuts

Shops and businesses in the town were forced to close from around 2pm onwards, and security guards prevented members of the public from entering the Mall Alhambra shopping centre.

Many major chains on Cheapside, such as HMV, Boots and WH Smith, were among those that had to shut.

The Mall Alhambra, which is home to stores including Next, Primark and Wilkinson’s, was closed throughout the afternoon.

More than 2,000 homes in Worsbrough Common, Barnsley, were also thought to have been affected by the power cut.

A spokesman for supply company CE Electric said the cause of the problem was unknown, but electricity had quickly been restored to around 2,300 customers.

Meanwhile, another power cut is believed to have hit thousands of homes and businesses in Halifax yesterday.

Problems were reported in areas of Calderdale including Southowram, King Cross, Illingworth, Ovenden, Mixenden, Queensbury, Pellon and Sowerby.