A DINTON-based business says a scheduled disruption of its electricity supply to allow for maintenance work will cost it more than £65,000.

Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is switching off the electricity in the Dinton area to carry out maintenance work on April 5.

The Mark Allen Group, a publishing and communications company which employs about 60 people across its two offices in the village, says the move will have a severe impact on the business.

“It is absurd and outrageous that we should have to foot the bill,” said Mark Allen. “I am hoping that good sense will prevail because it is simply absolutely ridiculous that this company is threatening to deny people the chance to work when they could shut down the electricity on a non-business day.”

The Mark Allen Group will be forced to close its two Dinton offices for the day or pay for a generator to be used instead. The company employs a further 100 people at its London offices, which will also be affected as they rely on servers at the Dinton offices.

Chief executive Ben Allen said: “It is outrageous that there has been zero consultation.

From what I understand the main reason is because it saves them money.”

Scottish & Southern Energy told the Mark Allen Group the work is to clear trees from around the high-voltage network to improve the resilience of the network for customers in the Dinton area.

A Southern Electric Power Distribution spokesman said: “We are committed to providing a safe and secure supply of electricity and being a good neighbour in the communities where we are the network distributor. When essential maintenance is required, where possible, we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to our customers.”

He said they were disappointed to learn about the company’s concerns and a senior manager will be meeting with representatives to discuss the practical steps they can take to alleviate the problems. “We are hopeful that a mutually suitable outcome can be reached.”