Southend Pier traders have claimed they lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies.
The leak is reckoned to have cost businesses on the pier thousands of pounds as day-trippers stayed away in their droves because of blocked toilets and health and hygiene fears.
Traders have blamed poor maintenance and a slow reaction by Southend Council.
But the authority says that temporary supplies have been given to traders and the root problem should be resolved today (Wednesday).
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