BES Utilities to freeze bills to support struggling businesses

BES Utilities is to become the first commercial supplier to help small businesses struggling to pay their energy bills by freezing bills and writing off historic debt.

The commercial supplier is launching its Business Energy Solutions fund on Wednesday, part of its commitment to be a “responsible supplier” it said.

The fund will help both self-employed and small business customers who have been with the supplier for at least 12 months by freezing bills and writing off historic debt.

The supplier has also joined with the national debt advice charity Business Debtline who will carry out assessments of customers’ finances and give advice and support.

The fund will be independently administrated by Charis Grants which will handle applications submitted via Business Debtline, and will then liaise between customers and the supplier to ensure successful awards are made.

Historic debt will be cleared by the fund once a new payment structure is agreed with the customer and the next three subsequent bills are paid, BES said.

BES Utilities managing director Andy Pilley said: “Together with our many market-leading products, designed to save our customers money, we see the BES fund as another way in which we are helping small and medium sized UK businesses in these extremely challenging economic times.”

Charis Grants managing director Allyson Broadhurst said: “Since 2003 we have successfully delivered criteria-based schemes for the domestic customers of a growing number of energy and water companies.”

“We recognise the vital role played by small businesses to UK economic recovery. Our insight from the domestic market will help support BES Utilities’ vulnerable small business customers, especially where business and domestic finances are intertwined.”