Problems with Opus continue

Distraught licensee are continuing to contact The Publican over their dealings with electricity supplier Opus Energy.

The company admitted it had "room to improve" on its metering service - but a number of publicans say they are outraged at the service they have received.

Some are anxious they have signed up to an estimated monthly rate only to find that their costs have later soared - and they are now locked into a commercial contract and have no way of changing supplier.

The calls follow the case of Paul Blyth, who was having problems transferring his electricity supply as Opus was blocking his transfer. It was charging him "out of contract rates" for five months which amounted to almost £7,000. After The Publican intervened Opus resolved the issue (see link to article on right).

However, Emma Heath of the Chalk Pitt Inn, Lewes, East Sussex, says she has been having problems since transferring over to Opus Energy. She agreed to a contract on the basis that her payment plan would be £159.51 a month.

But in February 2006 she received a letter informing her that monthly payments were to increase to £562.36. She called Opus Energy to request a change of supplier, to be told it would cost £2,000 to get out of the contract.

Emma said: "You can imagine my horror at this increase. I'm absolutely dismayed and disgusted that this can happen. This is not something I needed when starting a new business."

Steve Baxter, owner of the Three Horseshoes in Goulceby, Lincolnshire, is concerned about the service being received by his tenant.

As the ex-head of operations at East Midlands Electricity he is dismayed about the lack of effective communication from Opus. The pub is a small rural pub which uses mostly gas and oil heating.

"I can't see how on earth the pub can use that much electricity. There is no way you can use 2,000 units a week," he said. "Opus don't respond to you, they don't answer your queries."

Opus Energy admitted it had experienced problems with its processes and has reviewed these after featuring on BBC's Watchdog programme.

A spokesman from Opus said: "On occasion where we receive information such as readings to suggest the estimate is wrong, the monthly bill is amended to take account of the higher or lower usage. The per unit tariff does not change."

Opus Energy said it was "committed to resolving the issues as quickly as possible".