A Shropshire company which helps businesses keep their utility bills under control is expecting to take on extra staff this year as demand for its expertise continues to grow.

Smith Bellerby Limited, based at Abbey Court, in Newport, celebrates is 10th anniversary this year.

And managing partner Steve Bellerby said the credit crunch was having a positive effect on turnover, as more companies sought help in keeping their costs under control.

His company manages all utility bills – including gas, electric, water and telecoms for any size of business, and clients include five local authorities, budget airline easyJet, a group of 65 multiplex cinemas, a healthcare group, and many small and medium-sized firms.

“We do absolutely everything apart from actually paying the bill,” Mr Bellerby said.

“We ensure that our clients are paying the lowest prices, that their invoices are correct, that all supplier errors are rectified, and that all queries are dealt with promptly. We also help clients to reduce utility use by working with them to implement sensible energy and water management programmes.”

The company currently employs five staff, but expects to grow the workforce by up to 40 per cent over the course of this year.

Mr Bellerby said: “We have recently moved into larger offices in Newport to give us space to increase our workforce to cope with increased demand.

“We plan to employ at least one or two more analysts as our business increases as a result of companies trying to reduce their overhead costs in the current recession.”

Since moving to the Telford & Wrekin area, Mr Bellerby said his company had received a great deal of help from economic development organisations, including Transforming Telford which helped in the property search.

“There is some excellent support available for businesses in the Telford area, from general advice through to technology grants and finance for expansion.

“Telford has access to potential employees with the right mix of skills and attitude to work. We encourage all our staff to work flexibly, and Telford people seem particularly keen to embrace this idea.”

Anne Taylor, director of business and investment at Transforming Telford, said: “Smith Bellerby’s move and expansion is a real success story in such difficult economic times, and we’re very pleased to have been able to assist in their search for new premises.”