The Gibraltar Catering Association says it has been requested by members to issue a press release detailing the cost to the sector from yesterday's lengthy power cut.

A statement continued: “Most businesses remained open in the hope the power would soon return so they could honour pre-booked reservations. 

“Unfortunately, official updates were not communicated efficiently. Because of this the sector suffered large payroll costs for staff kept onsite who could have been sent home earlier had the length of time before power would be restored been made public sooner. We urge the publication of official updates every hour as to how long the restoration of services will be expected to take.

“Consequently, because of this power cut on 16^th September 2025, businesses have reported costs due to:

“Loss of trade; Food wastage; Damage to equipment on restoration from power surges; Loss of water supplies 

“We welcome the news that the government has issued a compensation claim to contractors for causing the previous power outage.

“We urge the government to consider the issuing of fines to contractors causing such disruption to include compensation to affected business and a link be published for those businesses to claim their losses from this fund. We feel this is the only way the seriousness of these occurrences will be properly avoided.  

“Any bars and restaurants wishing to join the Gibraltar Catering Association should contact us at  [email protected]"