A street in the centre of Norwich is without power today.
Cafes, shops and restaurants have been forced to close for the day or trade without electricity as power has been off since early in the morning.
Workmen arrived at around midday to try to fix the fault, and it is hoped power will be restored by about 6pm.
The manager of the Specsavers store, David Cowan, said: 'It's not been a great day for the street. We are still trying to help our customers as best we can.'
The co-owner of the Butterfly shop, Mrs Cox, said: 'We have had some customers trying on clothes in the dark and freezing cold and have they ended up buying the items.
'It's like my husband says: nothing can stop a woman from shopping.'
One manager who did not wish to be named said that he would have to stay at the store until the power was back on because he can't put the shutters down.
A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: 'Engineers are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore electricity supplies to eight properties in the White Lion Street area of Norwich following a fault on an underground cable at 7.30am today (Tuesday). We realise how difficult it is to be without power and apologise for any inconvenience.'
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