COMPENSATION has been paid to a store owner after a burst water pipe halved the number of customers coming to his shop.
Severn Trent Water has paid Martin Pashley £550 after a burst mains closed part of Leckhampton Road for three days in October.
Mr Pashley, 30, applied for compensation for loss of earning after takings at his shop, Premier Leckhampton Convenience Store, went down 50 per cent.
He claimed that he lost around £700 each day while the road was closed.
At the time, he criticised Severn Trent for being slow to react to his compensation claim, but said he is now pleased with the outcome.
"Severn Trent were a bit slow to get in touch at the start, but once they actually got the ball rolling they were fine," he said.
"It's unfortunate that it happened, but at least they sorted out the pipe.
"I'm obviously glad that I've received the money – it's reasonable of them."
A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said it was pleased to have been able to repay Mr Pashley for his loss of earnings.
She said money was available for companies which felt they had lost earnings as a result of their work.
She added: "As always, if our business customers are affected as a direct result of our work, they can apply for compensation.
"In this case, we are pleased to be able to support the business affected by the burst water pipe on Leckhampton Road."
The pipe burst at around 6am on October 23, sending water cascading out and damaging the tarmac and pavement.
Mud and debris were swept into a number of surrounding driveways, and many properties were left without any water or had low pressure throughout the morning.
The section of Leckhampton Road beyond the Church Road mini-roundabout junction was closed, with traffic diverted, while workmen repaired the pipe.
Mr Pashley and other property owners in the area said the road had been leaking for around two weeks before the pipe burst.
A month before the incident in October, the same pipe had burst and had to be repaired, closing the same section of Leckhampton Road for two days.
