Pub owner’s relief after power giant backs down
A power giant that demanded a Renfrew pub stump up a £2,500 security deposit has now backed down.
And publican Allan Strang said: “I am thrilled – and it’s all thanks to the Paisley Daily Express and local politician Julie Pirone.
“Sometimes you just have to stick your head above the parapet.
“Other pubs will be impacted too and it is out of order.
“It means The Black Bull can open again later this month with a decent electricity deal in place.”
We told last week how Allan and his partner Shiona Sillars had been asked to pay four months power bills up front – when pubs have had no income for a year.
npower made the shocking demand despite the couple being loyal customers for 15 years, and them never missing a single payment.
They wanted the bond before they would arrange a new contract.
Allan, 57, revealed they have now agreed a 12-month business deal without the need for a deposit.
He added: “It is quite a turnaround for them after telling me they regarded the whole hospitality industry as a bad risk. “That was disgraceful.”
His corner was fought by Julie Pirone, who is standing for the Conservatives in Renfrewshire North and West at tomorrow’s election.
Julie said: “I am very, very pleased that - after my intervention - the Black Bull’s security deposit has been dropped.
“Sadly, local businesses speak to me every day about the issues they are facing as they try to recover.
“This is what matters to me, standing up and helping local people and businesses.”
npower spokeswoman Sunita Patel confirmed they had “removed the need for a security deposit”.
She said: “As soon as we were aware of the impact lockdown could have on our customers, we moved swiftly to implement a number of short-term measures that would help them stay on supply and safe.
“We’re continuing to support our business customers through this difficult time.
“We encourage customers to work with us so we can understand their individual circumstances and see how we can help.
“In Mr Strang’s case, we were not presented with a full picture of the impacts that lockdown restrictions had had on his business so our assessments were based on last year’s financial data.
“We have since located business account information and offered a renewal of his contract, removing the need for a security deposit.”
The Black Bull is scheduled to get its doors back open on May 17.