Faulty sprinkler system closes part of shopping centre
PART of the Meridian Shopping Centre in Havant has been closed after a faulty sprinkler system began to flood the complex.
Water could be seen streaming from the brickwork outside the Wilko outlet, facing North Street, at midday today.
The shopping centre remains open, but Wilko has been closed and the centre’s elevators have been shut down, with staff clearing up large puddles of water on the first floor.
Shopping centre staff were making alterations to the sprinkler system when a fault released the deluge of water, according to Rob Fryer, the centre’s manager.
He said: ‘We were doing some sprinkler system modification for the new Citizens Advice
Bureau unit, and the valve failed and let loads of water in the building.
‘We believe it was a faulty part.
‘We’re on disaster recovery and clearing up – we didn’t need this on a Monday morning.’
The shopping centre is hoping to reopen the elevators and Wilko store by the end of the day.
A WOMAN is set to be sentenced for shoplifting and taking diesel without paying.
Selena Hemms, 36, of Tipner Road, Stamshaw, previously pleaded guilty to jointly stealing alcohol and groceries worth £217.57 from Tesco in Petersfield on April 22 last year.
The theft happened a month into the first lockdown.
She also admitted making off with £20 worth of diesel without paying on the same day, and driving without insurance at BP petrol station in Winchester Road, Petersfield.
Hemms was yesterday due to stand trial over an incident outside the Marmion Tavern in Marmion Road, Southsea, on August 23 last year.
As reported, a man was jailed for three and a half years for driving his Fiat Punto into a second man in a prolonged street battle between two warring groups.
The victim needed four stitches to his head.
Hemms was due to stand trial at magistrates’ court accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence.
But prosecutor Rachel Bailey told the court a witness had failed to arrive at court and offered no evidence.
The case against her was dismissed by magistrates.
Hemms will be sentenced for the theft, making off without payment and driving without insurance on May 6.