A SUPERMARKET temporarily closed its doors suddenly after a power outage. 

Would-be shoppers were sent away from Sainsbury's in Blackpole after it closed without warning while the petrol station could sell items albeit not fuel and was cash only. 

The unexpected closure comes just over a week before it was scheduled to close for several days for maintenance next month. 

Customers were met by staff in high-vis jackets after turning into the supermarket from the roundabout on Windermere Drive.

The entrance to the usually busy car park was blocked from at least 9am this morning (Wednesday) and remained closed all day.

Staff at the supermarket told customers that the shop had been closed because of a power cut and that the petrol station was not selling fuel. 

The kiosk at the petrol station has remained open throughout the incident, however contactless card payments could not be accepted.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Our Blackpole store is temporarily closed due to a power cut and our petrol pumps are unavailable at this time.

"Customers can still shop at our petrol station kiosk while we work hard to re-open the rest of the site as soon as possible.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The incident has caused disappointment among shoppers. 

One customer who attempted to get fuel this morning said: "It is a bit annoying and inconvenient but what can you do?

"I just wanted to get some petrol, guess I'll just have to go somewhere else."

The power cut came less than 24 hours after Sainsbury's announced that it would be closing for maintenance from August 3.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Our Blackpole store will be temporarily closed for a few days from Saturday, August 3 while we carry out maintenance works.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming our customers back into the store again soon.”

The store was still closed to the public as of 3pm today (July 24).

Chloe Barton who had arrived to do her weekly shop at around 3pm today, said: "It is disappointing that the shop is closed but it looks like it is out of their control."