A RESTAURANT is thousands of pounds out of pocket after it had to be evacuated following a gas leak.

Anokaa was among the many restaurants forced to evacuate after gas leaked through Fisherton Street on Wednesday evening, October 25.

The independent Indian had 70 people booked in for evening meals but had to leave as soon as it opened at 5pm.Salisbury Journal: Fisherton Street was evacuated for more than four hours.Fisherton Street was evacuated for more than four hours. (Image: Newsquest)

Manager Mohammed Odud, 40, "did not have the chance" to inform customers about the emergency.

"They said they would have preferred more notice but knew it was beyond our control," he said.

Mr Odud estimates that the small business lost a significant £2,500 in potential earnings.

Gas leaked into the street just 10 days before this incident but Mr Odud said the effect of this was smaller and he did not have to close.