Top End businesses lose stock, forced to close early due to blackout

FREEZERS were emptied, stock was lost and businesses shut their door early after the power went out across the Top End on Wednesday afternoon.

A sign on a business in Darwin that closed early due to the power outage this afternoon Picture: Che Chorley

• Power outages across Darwin suburbs, Palmerston and Katherine, according to Power and Water
• List of suburbs affected by the mass power outage across the Top End

FREEZERS were emptied, stock was lost and businesses shut their door early after the power went out across the Top End yesterday afternoon.

Darwin bakery Kurt’s Cakes said they may have to throw out hundreds of dollars worth of goods and may not be able to complete an order for an event this morning.

“This is a couple of hundred dollars here (in the front cabinet) and if the power doesn’t come back straight away we’ll have to throw it out.

“We have a lot of big fridges and freezers at the back too – they’re all full.”

Fannie Bay Cool Spot cafe was forced to stop serving everything but ice cream, as their staff we left fanning themselves in the sweltering dining room.

Chef Krishna Bhubthi said the blackout was very stressful.

Fannie Bay Cool Spot chef Krishna Bhubthi cools down while waiting for the power to come back on. Picture: Che Chorley

“People kept coming in and we had to still serve them,” he said.

“Our freezers can hold the temperature for an hour, then we’ll see after that.

“The kitchen is massive, we had to close everything.”

Staff at specialty grocery store Parap Fine Foods had to remove all the products from their instore fridges and move them to a freezer at the back of the shop.

Owner Paula Pantazis said the shop had lost power a number of times before.

“It’s still an inconvenience,” she said.

“It’s happened before – it’s not super regular but it’s enough to be annoying.”

Meanwhile, one Darwin couple was halfway through a 20-week ultrasound for their baby daughter when the power suddenly cut out.

Bek Hobson and Harley Johnson had been at the obstetrician and had had a few pictures taken.

Heather Haines from Parap Fine Foods moves perishable items from the business’ in-store fridge to back-up fridge to save stock. Picture: Che Chorley

“They needed more shots but bubs was facing the wrong way so we were about to go for a walk and readjust her,” Mr Johnson said.

“Then everything just turned off.

“We said we hoped the machine had autosave.”

The couple weren’t scared about their baby’s health but were nervous they wouldn’t have any fresh pictures.

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“Not scary, we haven’t felt any fear in regards to this scan as everything was looking healthy. (It’s) just effort to come back really,” Mr Johnson said.

“Luckily they had already printed good photos for us.”