Scottish Power slammed over pub energy cut-off

Energy provider Scottish Power has been slammed for forcing a pub to shut because of an outstanding bill owed by a previous tenant.

Punch-owned pub the King William in Brocton, Essex, was closed for over a week after the supplier demanded the new tenant pay the £2,500 energy bill run up by a past licensee.

However, current tenant Spectre Leisure refused to pay the outstanding bill and is now considering taking legal action. Scottish Power gave Spectre one hour's notice that it was cutting off the power leaving the pub unable to trade.

Martin Baumber, managing director of the pub operator, was outraged by the move.

"I find it incredible they can still get away with this. They refused to let us continue trading. They refused not to cut the power off as we will not pay for the previous occupants," he said.

"If I was an individual tenant who put all my money into this I could be put out of business."

Punch Taverns had attempted to help resolve the issue but as The Publican went to press Spectre was still waiting for the power to be switched on. This is despite the King William agreeing the payment of a £500 bond and setting up a standing order to get the power switched back on.

A spokeswoman from Punch Taverns said: "The dispute over the outstanding electricity bill is between the supplier and the previous tenant.

"It is extremely unfortunate that despite the intervention of both Mr Baumber and Punch the power was eventually cut off by the supplier."

However, a spokeswoman for Scottish Power said: "We were not informed of change of tenancy and any attempts we made to contact the occupier were ignored.

"When they eventually did contact us they did not supply the documentation we requested and although Mr Baumber did supply the details and pay what he owed after disconnection we clearly told them that a deposit was required before reconnection."