Salon remains shut five months after sewer collapse

Marcello Marino has been unable to open his hair salon for five months

The owner of a hairdressing salon that was forced to close after a sewer collapsed said he was still unable to reopen his business five months on.

Marcello Marino was initially told the closure in October, in Ramsgate, Kent, would be for six weeks.

He and his family have recently been able to return to the flat at the property after living in temporary accommodation.

Southern Water said it has covered Mr Marino's costs and was working quickly to reinstate his premises.

Mr Marino said: "Another month, another month - all my customers are phoning me, saying, 'When is it going to be open?'

"I say, 'I don't know. Three weeks?' But I don't know the exact date, that's why I don't know what to do."

He said he and his wife, who have a young child, were having to borrow money.

"I want everything back how it was before," he said.

"I want to go back to work, it was a lovely salon."

The salon has been put out of action by a collapsed sewer

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “We understand the disruption caused by our works to locate and repair a collapsed sewer.

"The safety of our customers is paramount, which is why it was necessary for this family to temporarily move to other accommodation previously.

“We discovered the section of sewer that required repair - is a private asset belonging to the property owner.

"However, we carried out the work and have covered the costs involved in this.

“We’re moving as quickly as we can to complete the reinstatement of the customer's premises, and have paid for the alternative accommodation and contributed to costs of living during this time.”

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