Would not wash with me

ises had been checked for existing gas supply and the gas meters switched off.

“This was going to take a long time as they would have to contact key holders for premises that had closed down.”

Stuart said the power cut had also impacted on a sister company which car- ried out a non-profit laundry for the elderly and vulnerable.

The meeting between Stuart and Northern Gas Networks, which looks after the gas supply pipes, was held after we carried a story about the dispute.

The company had earlier said that Poss Tub Laundry did not qualify for a Guaranteed Standards of Service payment.

A company spokeswoman said: “We’re extremely sorry for the inconvenience Mr Urwin experienced and sincerely apologise for the disruption he encountered. Business customers are compensated for the time they are without gas and this is calculated on an individual basis in accordance with our guaranteed standards of service.

“We reconnected Mr Urwin in under 24 hours. However, we fully accept that he experienced a great deal of inconvenience and we’re working with him to agree a resolution.” Later they released a new statement. They said: “After a meeting last week, an amicable resolution was agreed which Mr Urwin was happy with.”

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999.