Business Stream and energy supply advisor tie up to offer one-stop shop

Business Stream and energy supply advisor, Utilitywise, have formed a partnership offering power, gas an water deals for business customers.

The companies claim they will “enable business customers to secure exclusive deals for their electricity, gas and water.” The offer is primarily targeted at small and medium-sized companies and will be available to customers in Scotland initially, before being introduced in England when the retail water market opens in April 2017.

The likelihood that a proliferation of multi utility offerings will arise from the opening of the business water market has been long touted with the predicted thrust of the proposition being the convenience in a one-stop provider and billing under one roof. The Business Stream / Utilitywise emphasis follows that line although they do include “saving money, with attractive discounts” among their claimed benefits.

The proposition behind the tie up for Business Stream customers is they will have access to an allied independent broker searching for the best energy deal. For its customers, Utilitywise will broker deals from across the business water retail sector as well as Business Stream. A Business Stream spokesman explained: "If a Utilitywise customer wished to purchase a water product then Utilitywise will offer a range of suppliers typically," Utilitywise in that instance would act as a third party intermediary.' He added: "A Business Stream customer will only be offered a Business Stream water product. Utilitywise in that instance is in partnership with Business Stream."

Chief executive of Business Stream, Jo Dow, said the partnership “makes it easier for customers to buy all their essential utilities in one place and to manage their accounts online at a time and place which suits them.” She said the tie up was “further evidence of our intention to shake up the water market and offer new and innovative solutions to business customers across the UK.”

Her counterpart at Utilitywise, Brendan Flattery emphasised the benefits for Business Stream customers: “This partnership will provide Business Stream customers with access to competitive energy prices as well as cutting edge technologies and services to help them reduce utility consumption and save even more money on their electricity, gas and water bills.”