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November 03, 2008

Bizz Energy now in administrative receivership

Worcester based Bizz Energy is the latest victim of increases in wholesale energy costs and having appointed KPMG to carry out a quick auction after struggling to refinance its debts has now been placed in administrative receivership.

All 40,000 electricity customers across its SME and corporate networks are being transferred to British Gas Business for a cash consideration of £3.5million.

From a customer viewpoint British Gas Business will maintain existing contract terms and conditions.

If you are a current Bizz Energy customer what do you need to do?
There's no need for you to do anything - your contract will continue on your current prices and terms and conditions. British Gas Business will agree a transfer meter read with BizzEnergy. In the meantime, you may want to take your own read so that British Gas Business can validate the transfer reading.

Why are British Gas Business purchasing BizzEnergy Ltd's (BEL) customer contracts?
BEL have gone into Administrative Receivership and to ensure continuous supply of energy, BGB have taken over your contract. This transaction completed just before midnight on 31st October 2008

Who will now supply me with electricity?
British Gas Business will now supply you.

Will this affect my Contract or Terms & Conditions in any way?
No. The contract terms you had with BEL are not affected. Your contract terms will transfer over to British Gas Business.

Will I need to sign a new contract?
You do not need to sign a new contract. British Gas Business will contact you before your current contract is due to expire.

Is this transfer legal?
Your BEL terms and conditions (clause 11.1 for non Half Hourly and 13.1 for Half Hourly) allows for the transfer of all or part of the Contract to another licensed electricity supplier

Are my bills going to increase/decrease?
No. Your current prices will continue under your current contract terms.

Do I need to take a meter read?
British Gas Business will agree a transfer meter read with BEL - this will enable BEL to produce an accurate final bill for you. You may want to take a current meter reading so that British Gas Business can validate your transfer reading.

Who will be billing me now?
BEL will bill you for electricity consumed up until October 31st, 2008. British Gas Business will bill you for electricity consumed from that date onwards. Any debt owing on your account up to the final read on October 31st should be paid to BEL. Bills for electricity usage after November 1st should be made payable to British Gas Business Ltd and sent to;

British Gas Business
Processing Centre
Lakeside East
The Causeway
Staines
TW18 3BY

I am currently billed electronically, will I get the same service from British Gas Business?
British Gas Business provide an electronic bill option and can offer EDI billing for all large customers.

What differences should I expect in service?
British Gas Business already supplies more business sites than any other supplier with each customer given a dedicated account manager so you should not experience any decrease in the level of service.

What if I have just signed a new contract with BEL?
British Gas Business will obtain details of your new contract and honour that agreement.

What if my contract is due for renewal within the next few weeks?
You are free to contact any energy supplier for alternative quotes, however we would recommend www.billscutter.com as your first contact as they will be able to look at all options available to you.

If I don't want to be supplied by British Gas Business, can I/how do I change?
You will need to comply with the terms and conditions of your contract if you have signed up for a set period, but you would be able to change supplier once your contract comes to an end or after the required notice period.

Who are British Gas Business?
British Gas Business is part of Centrica plc. Centrica was formed following the demerger of the former British Gas plc in February 1997 and trades in the UK as British Gas Business, British Gas/Scottish Gas, and the Dyno group.

What will happen with my direct debit payments?
You should not cancel your current instruction with BEL until you have settled your final account with them. British Gas Business will send you a new direct debit instruction so that you can continue to benefit from the ease of paying by direct debit with British Gas Business.

Will I need to submit a new VAT form?
If you pay VAT at the 5% rate you will need to complete a VAT Declaration form. Please email BizzEnergy@britishgasbusiness.co.uk

Will I need to resubmit a CCL declaration form?
If your business is also exempt from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) you'll need to supply British Gas Business with a PP10 and PP11 form, which can be downloaded from here

My gas is already supplied by British Gas Business, what will happen?
You will continue to be billed by British Gas Business for your gas and after November 1st for your electricity too. You will have two separate account numbers.

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