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Centrica has acquired struggling council-backed energy supplier Robin Hood’s customer base for an undisclosed fee.
The deal, which is set to complete on 16 September, will mean 230 staff at Robin Hood being made redundant. It will see 112,000 domestic customers and 2,600 businesses move across to British Gas over the next few months.
The announcement follows rapidly on from Nottingham City Council’s agreement of an action plan to tackle the energy firm’s multiple woes.
The council has been criticised for failings in its oversight of the business and for continuing to pump money into it.
It marks the end of a five year experiment which set out to challenge the dominance of the big six and provide a local alternative to Nottingham billpayers.
Council leader David Mellen said: “We know this is a very sad day for the business and its employees who have played a part in creating a more dynamic and customer orientated market for all energy consumers.”
Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea said: “As well as our actions to simplify and modernise our business, we are focused on returning to profitable growth in our core markets and investing in value generating opportunities.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are delighted to welcome Robin Hood customers to British Gas. We are pleased to be able to offer every customer moving to British Gas a tariff which means their price will not be any higher and, importantly, they will be supplied with green electricity and have access to a range of other benefits – such as British Gas Rewards with free energy days and exclusive offers on services such as boiler cover.”
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