Historic Kent pub faces closure over disputed £55k energy bill

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 12:06 · Archive

The Chequers Inn in Kent has been handed a £55,000 energy bill by Yorkshire Gas and Power, which owners say stems from a faulty smart meter.

The Chequers Inn, a 612-year-old pub in Lamberhurst, Kent, faces potential closure after being handed a £55,000 energy bill. Owners Becky Gomery and Rich Spicer say supplier Yorkshire Gas and Power is demanding £55,589.77, which unless cancelled could force them to shut the pub and cost 20 staff their jobs.

The couple had been paying around £2,000 per month for a year, based on their smart meter's usage figures and similar to the previous owner's rates. In April this year they were told they needed to settle an extra £38,000 in unpaid backdated fees. The amount has now grown to £55,589.77 after being sent to collections.

Gomery and Spicer blame a faulty smart meter for the charges. Both a meter inspector and an independent electrician found the meter faulty. Gomery said she asked the energy company to check their readings again but did not receive a reasonable response. The energy ombudsman has told Yorkshire Gas and Power to send an engineer to inspect the meter within 28 days and said it was not satisfied the supplier had investigated the apparent mismatch between the meter registers and billing arrangement adequately or promptly.

How it is being reported

• Historic UK pub at risk of closure after landlords handed shock £55k energy billLandlady Becky Gomery says it will be catastrophic if the pub's electricity is turned off.Daily Express · 12 Oct, 11:47
• Our 600-year-old pub may have to close over 'catastrophic' £55k energy bill caused by 'faulty smart meter'Becky Gomery and Rich Spicer believe a faulty smart meter is to blame for the chargesThe Mirror · 12 Oct, 09:31

In this story: Becky Gomery · Rich Spicer · The Chequers Inn · Yorkshire Gas and Power · Lamberhurst · Kent

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