Electric supply cut before funeral wake

Scottish Power fails to transfer host's name

A licensee's electricity supply was cut off hours before a funeral wake.

This followed a dispute with Scottish Power about the company apparently not recognising the host's request to transfer supplier.

Peter Woodworth signed up with British Gas Business for electricity when he

took on the Queens Arms

in Newtown, Wigan, in

June 2007.

Scottish Power, which previously supplied the pub, is charging him "out-of-contract" rates — 40% higher than normal.

Woodworth has refused to pay because invoices are in the name of the previous licensee.

Scottish Power, which is chasing him for £16,500, failed in May to get a warrant at magistrates to disconnect supply, but has now succeeded after applying in the name of "the occupier".

Woodworth cancelled the wake on the day of disconnection. "The people were very understanding," said the Admiral tenant. "We forwarded the buffet on to them."

He added: "It's frustrating and annoying."

Chris Kennedy of Utility Business Services, which is employed by Admiral to help its tenants, said Scottish Power "has not contacted Admiral to ascertain who is occupying the site and Peter Woodworth has sworn under oath that he is the tenant in court.

"Despite this, Scottish Power still refuses to acknow-ledge him as the tenant."

A Scottish Power spokesman said the supplier had asked the licensee "on several occasions" to see his lease but it was never sent, and "the only option was to pursue the debt".

However, Woodworth denied Scottish Power had asked to see his lease.