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About 250 Vector customers were left without power in parts of Newmarket yesterday, angering business owners.
The power cut happened at 11.40am, and lasted about an hour. It affected parts of Carlton Gore Rd, George St, and Morgan St.
One Newmarket cafe owner, who didn't want to be named, said the cafe would have lost several hundred dollars because of the cut.
"Then you've got loss of productivity because you are still paying for staff members hanging about. For small businesses it's crippling."
Vector yesterday acknowledged the disruption cuts caused to customers, and said it always worked hard to restore power as quickly as possible.
But it would not be giving compensation to affected businesses, said a spokeswoman.
The fault occurred in Vector's 11kv network at the intersection of Carlton Gore Rd and Kingdon St.
Newmarket Business Association general manager Cameron Brewer said all businesses wanted was security of supply.
"Every hour without power comes with a huge cost because staff can't do anything and it hurts your credibility with customers. The last thing retailers want is to get jittery about the supply of electricity."
Vector had promised two years ago that its planned upgrades would ensure security of supply as Newmarket grew and developed.
"In June 2006, Vector blamed Transpower for the Otahuhu substation failure, Mr Brewer said.
"Vector, however, needs to take responsibility for these outages and at the very least give customers assurances about what's being done to avoid it happening again.
"We are fast becoming Auckland's second commercial district with huge development on the horizon.
"We need to know that our electricity supply can keep up with demand."
