LAST week part of the West End was plunged into darkness following a power cut, and once again it was local businesses which paid the price for the failings of the energy supplier EDF.
Once would be unfortunate, and could be attributed to events beyond EDF's control.
But this is not the first time the West End has been affected by power blackouts.
It has happened with monotonous regularity so far this year, including on the press night of God of Carnage and again earlier this year at Les Misérables and Avenue Q.
It is hardly fitting for a world city of the stature of London to be blighted by regular power blackouts.
Not withstanding the fact the West End is the economic powerhouse of the UK and makes a significant contribution to the country's GDP, these power cuts impact on businesses already fighting the longest recession for decades.
This latest blackout brought disruption to a swathe of Shaftesbury Avenue and stopped some of the West End's major shows, including Les Misérables.
On top of the financial impact, and we must remember the theatre industry alone contributes more than £1billion a year to the economy, there are also 40,000 residents in the West End and a multitude of other businesses which lose out every time the lights go out.
We will be taking this matter up with the EDF as this simply cannot continue.
We also think an apology, explanation and an assurance it will not happen again is owed to all those affected, including the 500 pensioners who were kindly given free tickets to Les Misérables, but whose day was ruined due to EDF's failure to provide a vital and necessary service.
DANNY CHALKLEY Cabinet member for city management Westminster City Council
NICHOLAS ALLOTT
Managing director Cameron Mackintosh Ltd Producer of Les Misérables
SARAH PORTER Chief executive of Heart of
London Business Alliance
