Gas pipe blunder forces traders to shut up shop

Jonny Glover, who owns Bar 15, revealed he had to close the doors of the business from 9.30am until 8.30pm last Wednesday while the premises were made safe.

He had to open doors and windows to allow the gas to escape while officials from Phoenix Gas attended the scene.

Mr Glover only realised what had happened when he arrived to open up at 10.30am.

He was approached by workmen who told him that he was not to open the premises due to safety concerns.

He discovered later that workmen had struck an underground gas pipe while working on a footpath close to his premises and was told that it was too dangerous to open up nearby premises.

When he walked into his cellar and detected a strong smell of gas he opened all windows and doors of the business.

Two other premises, a jewellers shop and an education centre, were also forced to close for the entire day.

“When I got into the cellar it was just full of gas,” said Mr Glover.

“I had leave the windows and doors open at the bar open for the entire day while the gas escaped.

“Apparently when tests were carried out, the amount of gas read 4 bars which is very high.

“I was so angry at losing a day’s business because once it is lost, you are never going to get that back.

“I was told how sorry they were and that they were going to get it sorted.” he claimed.

“That is no good to me when I cannot get into my business.”

He also criticised the amount of time that has been spent working on the public realm scheme outside his premises.

“They have been there for about three weeks,” he said.

“It is a joke, a total joke.”

A spokesperson for Phoenix Gas confirmed that they were at the scene as soon as they were aware of the situation.

“We can confirm that a third party contractor, not working for Phoenix, caused damage to a gas main at Market Square East in Lisburn,” they said.

“Our engineers were quickly on site to make the area safe and to complete the necessary repairs.

“We are continuing to urge construction workers to contact us to request plans of gas pipe locations before they start digging on any road.

“The dedicated Phoenix ‘Dial Before You Dig’ helpline is 02890 555819.”