Business energy user sorts out dispute over £20,000 bill - 19/08/2011

A small business energy user has finally sorted out a dispute with one of the Big Six energy suppliers over a £20,000 bill.

The Morning Advertiser reported that pub licensee Stuart Curtis of Whitstable in Kent had been battling British Gas since last year when the provider told him he owed an estimated £6,000.

He set up a direct debit for £400 before receiving a letter from the energy supplier asking him to increase it to £1,500 a month, which he refused to do, instead upping it to a monthly payment of £500.

Mr Stuart then had a phone call in May this year telling him that he owed British Gas more than £12,000, which the utility company said had been worked out using the original meter reading.

After he threatened to report his complaints to industry watchdog Ofgem, another phone call from the provider said the licensee was due to pay more than £20,000.

"The man I spoke to said I had paid £8,000 of this and he wanted the difference. Then he completely topped off the whole sorry saga by telling me that he'd had a look at my pub on the internet and it looked like it used a lot of electricity," Mr Curtis told the publication.

A spokesman for British Gas spokesman explained: "We have now successfully resolved Mr Curtis's complex case, which involved both billing and metering issues. It has taken much longer to sort out than we would have liked.

"We have said sorry to Mr Curtis and his partner, ensured the correct billing process is now in place and have agreed an appropriate financial solution."

The story shows how important it is for small businesses to keep checking their energy bills for inconsistencies and to ensure they have enough money set aside to pay off larger bills should they be hit with one unexpectedly.

Over the last few years, our customers have saved up to £1,645 a year. Contact us today on 0800 970 26 26 to find how much you can save.

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