Bare shelves in new-look shop

11:43am Friday 9th May 2008

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ANDREW Connolly's shop in Ludgershall, which has undergone a major refit, had to run for over a month with bare shelves.

The problem wasn't caused by a lack of stock.

The new look Spar shop has many more chillers than the former Londis store and these require significantly more electricity.

"The shop had a single phase meter but the increased loading with the chiller cabinets and air conditioning meant that we needed a three phase meter," said Mr Connolly.

"Southern Electric assessed the work and were as good as gold but there seems to be a problem at British Gas Business who are our suppliers.

"I paid £1,300 for the work on 26 March and expected it to be completed by 29 March.

"Nothing happened despite calls to the company sometimes three times a day."

The work was completed on 2 May within a few hours of the Andover Advertiser calling the British Gas Business which offered Mr Connolly compensation.

"I think this situation has highlighted a problem in the interface between the two companies," said Mr Connolly.

A spokesman for British Gas Business said the communication system will be reviewed in the circumstances.

"It has been a bit of an industry problem and you have to jump through hoops in the order ABC," said Matt Beasley.

"You can't cut corners and it seems that A from us hasn't been hitting C at the other end."

"The bottom line is that the customer is now happy."