Deli International manager Mark Jones had just ordered Christmas stock when told the power to the centre would be cut off for eight hours from 9pm on November 30.

He received the notice from Essential Energy on Tuesday and said he was struggling to find an alternative solution.

“This doesn’t just impact us, it impacts all other businesses who need power for refrigeration,” Mr Jones said.

“They are indicating they will compensate us for the hire of the generator only.

“The initial information told us we had until November 25 to supply them (Essential Energy) with quotes for the hire of a generator.

“I don’t even know the hire cost because no where has the generator we need and no sparkys want to do such a big job on a Sunday night.”

According to Mr Jones, the compensation would not cater for a $1500 electrician fee.

He also said he was concerned if he did get a generator, it would be outside the plaza and there would be no security to watch it.

“They have imposed this on us and left it to us to sort out ourselves,” Mr Jones said.

“All we have done is ask Essential Energy if it can be delayed until after Christmas so we have time to get it organised.

“Even if they did it on a night other than Sunday, it would halve the costs of the labour.

“Other than me trying to hire a number of mobile cool rooms and moving all the stock, I have no idea what the impact will be.

“I don’t know how I am going to afford it.”

The power supply interruption will affect about 35 shops in the centre.

Essential Energy southern regional manager Steven Ilitch said the work was needed to repair recently damaged high voltage underground network equipment.

“A one-off power supply interruption will be necessary for crews to safely complete the critical repairs and ensure the network has back-up supply options,” Mr Ilitch said.

“This will help to minimise the number of customers affected during planned work and unplanned supply interruptions by allowing power to be re-routed around fault or maintenance areas.”