Lift lid on energy deals, pubs urged

The Morning Advertiser is asking licensees to get in touch with details of energy deals they negotiate and any problems or benefits provided by their suppliers.

Our Energy Price Watch appeal aims to help licensees keep an eye on the latest offers and issues and has been launched after rising concern over the rapid rise in utility bills.

The MA's Market Report revealed that 69% of licensees saw the biggest rise in business costs over the past year coming from electricity bills, and 56% from gas.

One multiple operator, Steve Haslam of TLC Inns, warned it was essential to keep an eye on utility bills and "negotiate hard" on high rates.

He said there is a "minefield" around giving notice to cancel a contract because there is usually only a one-month window in which you can cancel.

If this is missed, the company will roll on the contract, at non-contract rates of two to three times more, without telling customers, according to Haslam.

There are also problems if you decide to cancel your contract early. "If you want to terminate your contract during your contract period, you'll only get their best rates when you're put through to their termination department and once you've appointed another company," Haslam explained.

"This is the process you have to go through and the time it takes is horrendous. I'm sure a lot of people don't dispute it. They have to negotiate hard and never take the company's word for it."

He added: "We need people to speak out about issues like this. The three biggest burdens are the tie, wages and utilities.

"If people tell each other how much they've managed to reduce their rates by, the utility companies will have no chance but to do something about this."

Most of Haslam's accounts are with British Gas. He pays around £100,000 for his four pubs.

• Have you recently negotiated your utility bills? What deal did you get? Have you had an issue with your supplier? Email thewvg.qrtha@jeoz.pbz​.​