IN THE LOCAL MEDIA: An MP says Heathfield businesses should be compensated for failures by South East Water.
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, recently met members of the Heathfield Chamber of Commerce and representatives of businesses in the town. Among the issues discussed was the impact of recent water shortages on their ability to trade.
She heard about difficult decisions taken by local High Street firms which were faced with having to close and lose income, due to South East Water's (SEW) decision to stem, or completely cut, the supply.
Nusrat said: "From cafes to hairdressers, opticians to professional service providers, the impact of South East Water's decision-making is hitting hard. I heard the emotional stories of businesses having to shut up shop because they could not safely operate. No toilets for staff or customers, no water for drinking. This means no business can carry on, company owners losing money and staff being sent home for the day.
"The town's local council is the first line of enquiry for many local residents and even they were not kept up to date with the local dire situation. I was disappointed to hear that SEW's communications were confusing matters for local residents.
"I met many local businesses with the Chamber, including Sokada, Melina Joy Opticians, Twinn Cafe and Martinez Hairdressing, all inconvenienced and many of them having to shut up shop and lose income. I will be campaigning for these businesses to receive compensation. I have also renewed my call on the SEW boss to leave the comfort of his office and to meet my constituents and tell them what he will do differently. Everyone is bored of hearing statistics; they just want to see action.
"My South East Water survey is still live so head to my website and tell me if you have been impacted by recent water shortages."
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