Power supply threat to club in bill dispute

The power supply to a Shrewsbury nightclub could be cut off after an energy provider won an entry warrant from magistrates over an unpaid electricity bill costing almost £16,000.

Power giant E.ON was given permission to enter the Buttermarket in Howard Street by Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday.

But the club’s owner Kerry Wycherley, 59, today claimed he had been overcharged by the company and said the final bill was still under dispute.

He insisted there was no threat to events being staged at the venue and said he would be speaking to the firm to resolve the matter.

A representative from E.ON told magistrates that the Buttermarket had agreed a payment plan of £500 a week but was yet to make a payment.

A spokesman for E.ON said a warning would now be sent to the club warning it that the power supply could be switched off.

He said: “The actual amount owed is just short of £16,000 and now that the warrant has been agreed we will send a warning of disconnection to the customer.

“But to avoid that they need to talk to us about how they can bring the account up to date with the payment plan agreed.”

Mr Wycherley said: “The bill is under dispute and we have found out that they have been overcharging us.

“I am absolutely amazed that they have done this,” he added.

“The payment plan is all set up, although we are arguing over the amount, and we have paid towards the payment plan.”