First Business Water is set to enter the non-domestic water retail market, having applied to Ofwat for a supply and sewerage licence.
The newly incorporated company describes itself as an “alternative, innovative retailer” that will offer “transparent and honest pricing; personalised, quality customer service; account management; and water efficiency support through the provision of monitoring tools and benchmark audits”.
First Business Water, based in Harrow, was incorporated on 31 May 2017 and is run by two directors: Pritesh Vinodbhai Patel and Nishit Dattani.
Following the opening of the business retail water market on 1 April, more that 1.2 million businesses, charities and public-sector bodies can now choose their water and sewerage retailer.
The market is expected to deliver up to £200 million of benefits to the economy and water customers over the next 30 years, through improved service and value for money. So far, approximately 36,570 supply points have switched, according to the market operator.
There are currently twenty-two retailers licensed to operate in the market. These include new entrants, incumbent retail arms and the UK’s largest pub retailer Greene King—which has applied to supply its own retail services.
A further six, not including First Business Water, have applied for licences and are awaiting the final outcome. This includes two applications for self-supply licences from Whitbread and Marston’s.