A huge power cut is affecting parts of Stockport tonight (Saturday), forcing restaurants already hit by a string of covid cancellations to close on what should have been one of the busiest nights of the year.
More than 860 homes and businesses are without electricity in Marple.
Electricity North West said it was hoped power would be restored by 1am.
Seafood restaurant The Fisherman's Table posted on Facebook: "When it rains it really does pour in hospitality… with cancellations at a massive high and now at prime time on a Saturday night with a restaurant full of customers now a power cut that won’t be resolved until 11pm.
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"Sums up the last two years."
Fisherman's Table owner Jamie Barrett said there were about 55 diners in the restaurant when the power went off, with 16 more booked in for 8pm.
He told the Manchester Evening News : "It's just a nightmare.
"It's the last Saturday night before the lockdown that looks like it's inevitably coming and we're going to lose £2,000 because of it.
"We've had no end of cancellations, just like everybody else, but tonight we were as good as full.
"In the old days we would have got the candles out and carried on but now when the electricity goes off the gas goes off too, so there was nothing we could do.
"We gave everybody half an hour to finish their drinks then we had to close. It's so frustrating."
Cambodian restaurant Kambuja Marple posted on Facebook: "We've had yet another power cut, affecting the whole street.
"Apologies to anybody halfway through their meal, or who had ordered a takeaway later tonight.
"We thought these problems were behind us, after the cable was replaced, but clearly not. Sorry again."
Indian restaurant Marple Spice posted: "Marple Spice is experiencing a power cut (18/12/21 - 7:50PM) as are many other businesses next to us.
"Due to this our telephone lines are off and so are all web order systems. Sorry for any inconvenience caused."
A statement on the Electricity North West website said the power cut was reported at 7.30pm and that engineers were on the way.
It added: "This power cut has been caused by an unexpected incident on the high voltage cable that provides electricity to your home or business.
"We didn't know before your electricity went off that this was going to happen but now we know, rest assured we will get your power back on safely and as quickly as possible."
