The owner of a Shrewsbury nightclub today said it was “open for business as normal” after being forced to close in a row over a £23,000 water bill.

Kerry Wycherley, who runs The Buttermarket in Howard Street, had to shut the club after the water meter was removed by Severn Trent on March 27.

The dispute with Severn Trent was settled after industry watchdog the Consumer Council for Water got involved and the bill was halved. The row was over the location of a water leak.

The club reopened on April 10. Today Mr Wycherley said: “The Buttermarket Shrewsbury is open for business as normal after its short closure due to a water dispute with Severn Trent.

“This was not what any business needed with the present economic climate but I had to stand up for what I believe was correct concerning the water leakage.

“I am humbled to say that but for the young promoters in Shropshire, The Buttermarket would have ceased trading. The phone did not stop. There are so many people out there that realise if The Buttermarket closes there is nowhere for certain events to happen.”

Mr Wycherley said the club would continue to allow young talent to showcase their art of music making.

He said: “With bookings for the over 18s coming up such as Groove Riders, Scratch Perverts and The Mighty Diamonds, The Buttermarket promises to give Shropshire people what they have come to expect from The Buttermarket for more than 20 years.”