Thames Water aims to double Scottish customer base

Thames Water is aiming to double the size of its Scottish business customer base by undercutting incumbent supplier Business Stream, the company said.

The firm’s non-domestic arm, Thames Water Commercial Services (TWCS) currently serves more than 130 business customers in Scotland, across 600 different sites, but says it is targeting a 100 per cent increase by offering its services at a discount of up to 20 per cent.

TWCS’ head of the Scottish team Alan Munro said: “Scotland is the first country in the world which has deregulated its water market.

“Any business here can switch provider yet, due to a lack of awareness, a high percentage still haven’t switched.

“The sector is currently dominated by Scottish Water subsidiary Business Stream, but this is simply because many businesses remain unaware they can switch and consequently benefit from the potential cost saving and other benefits of moving to another supplier.

“With potential cost savings of up to 20 per cent, Scottish firms must take action.”

The company said that despite being open to competition for seven years, around 90 per cent of the 130,000 business customers remain with the incumbent, Business Stream.

This goal comes after TWCS expanded its Scottish-based team in October last year in a bid to seize a greater share of Scotland’s £330 million non-domestic water retail market.

Munro also claims that TWCS has saved Scottish customers half a million pounds since entering the market in September 2013.

The firm offers tailored solutions for each of its Scottish business customers and claims average savings of 10-15 per cent are made.

England will see a similar competitive market to that current experienced in Scotland from April 2017 when the non-domestic sector opens up to competition, as set out in the Water Act.