DOZENS of people were evacuated when a gas leak brought part of a usually bustling shopping thoroughfare to a standstill.

A 300 metre perimeter cordon was set up around the Victoria Hotel, Week Street, Maidstone, at about 12.30pm on Saturday after reports of “strong smell of gas” coming from the basement of the derelict building.

One police officer had to physically restrain a man as people tried to push past the police barrier to get to shops and car parks.

Traders in the area saw profits plummet while gas board engineers spent about two hours fixing the ruptured pipe.

Steve Nuttman, owner of The Tanning Shop, which was within the evacuated area of Week Street, said it was “devastating” for business.

“We haven’t had any customers,” he said. “Usually this is the busiest day of the week but this has been devastating.”

Maidstone shopper, Laura Buttle, and her two friends were on the way to their favourite cafe for breakfast when they were stopped by police.

“I was really hung-over - all I wanted was a fried breakfast,” she said. “The cafe was literally only five metres away on the other side of the police barrier.”

Maidstone East Station was also shut, causing misery for rail passengers, including Patrick Judson, from Maidstone.

“I was on my way to catch the train up to London to watch Fulham play Sheffield Wednesday when they closed the station about 10 minutes before it was due,” he said.

Southeastern Railway spokeswoman, Sarah Boundy, said trains were either told not to stop at the station or diverted during the evacuation.

She said, despite delays, people were still able to make their onward journey by using alternative routes and a replacement bus service.

Police said Week Street reopened at about 2.30pm.