Thu, 14 Aug 2025

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 Cafe owner feared £24k energy bill would sink firm

A cafe owner says E.On could have put her out of business over a disputed energy bill.

* Cafe owner Samantha Panton claims E.On has been "bullying" her over a disputed £24,000 bill due to technical issues with her electricity meters.
* She says she was threatened with court action and disconnection by debt collectors in 2024, putting her business at risk of bankruptcy after 33 years.
* Tamworth MP Sarah Edwards intervened on Panton's behalf, calling for more severe fines for incorrect billing and criticizing E.On's tactics as "horrible".
* The issue is still not fully resolved, with an accountant suggesting Panton's account could be in credit.
* E.On insists the Energy Ombudsman has validated their billing and that they have made efforts to engage with Panton.
* Another customer, Paul Chrimes, claims he has been locked in a dispute with E.On for five years over estimated bills, which he believes are "utterly ridiculous".
* Dr David Toke, an energy expert, suggests companies like E-On prioritize profits over people and calls for public ownership of the retail electricity supply.
* E-On has previously faced criticism over billing issues with pre-payment meters and has been ordered to pay millions in compensation.
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