MA flooded with Opus complaints

Angry licensees are continuing to complain about excessive charges demanded by electricity supplier Opus Energy.

The MA has been flooded with calls about Opus this week, since highlighting the case of licensee Martin Moylan, who was told he owed the supplier an extra £1,813 after complaining about its steep charges.

North Wales host Linda Rich paid £350 a month for her first three years with Opus, but since June 2006 levels have jumped to between £500 and £1,300.

She asked to leave the contract after hearing about the price hike but Opus said that by this point it was too late. Rich is under contract with Opus until July.

"I wouldn't recommend Opus to my worst enemy," said Rich, of the Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel, Gwynedd.

Flintshire licensee Darren Stobbs said Opus is demanding about £1,800 from him because his pub was under contract with the supplier when he moved in

last December.

Stobbs, of the Griffin Inn, Mold, said bailiffs have visited the pub to demand payment and have threatened disconnection.

Stobbs refuses to pay the bill until Opus reduces the tariff, set at 13.61p per unit.

The Marston's Pub Company licensee said Opus originally tried to block his request to switch supplier.

Opus has finally allowed Sheffield host Jeff Trundle to leave his three-year contract after disputes with the supplier dating back 18 months.

An Opus agent said he could secure the best electricity rates available at the High Cliffe Hotel, but bills have varied between £730 and £1,303 a month. Another supplier has promised monthly bills of about £500.

Opus also demanded that Trundle pay an extra £13,000 after the first 12 months because he was undercharged.

Trundle said: "I can't stand Opus and I wouldn't recommend anybody touches them in a million years."

Opus was unavailable for comment.