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Energy broker Utility Bidder has become the latest company to apply to enter the water retail market.

The firm applied to Ofwat for its licence and plans to enter the non-household competitive market to offer water, sewerage and trade effluent services.

In Utility Bidder’s application, the firm said the move would “complement its well-established energy management and brokerage services.”

A synopsis of its business plan, said: “Customers will benefit from a multi-utility service focussed on a renowned level of customer service and expertise in delivering cost savings.”

Nick Butt, business water consultant, at Utility Bidder told Utility Week: “Utility Bidder are a leading energy broker to primarily the SME market that has concentrated on the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.

“Obtaining a licence opens up our ability to offer a full package of utilities services to give us a USP for new business and to consolidate repeat business with existing customers.”

He added: “Additionally, we will also be promoting retail services alongside added value ‘wholesale cost reduction’ services aimed at increasing water efficiency, reducing wastewater operational and disposal costs to industrial and agricultural water customers, such as farming, manufacturing, engineering and the food and drinks sectors, perhaps with a regional twist.”

“All will be revealed in the coming months,” Butt concluded.

At the start of this year Aquaflow Utilities was granted a water supply and sewerage licence by Ofwat, taking the number of retailers operating in the new market up to 25.