Chamber members wise up to £1m savings

By We Love Creative

10 Aug 2016

Businesses across East Lancashire have safeguarded a collective £1m by taking control of their energy spend.

Members of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce have seen utility bills significantly reduced – many by five figure sums - through a bespoke energy procurement and management programme delivered by Businesswise Solutions.

As Diamond Ambassadors of the Chamber, the Nelson-based energy specialist launched the partnership ‘Chamberwise Affinity’, a strategic group purchasing solution which will guarantee members reduced costs and budget certainty for years to come.

Since its launch late last year, the partnership has handled £15m worth of utilities spend for Chamber members with outstanding results.

Peter Catlow, Businesswise Solutions’ director, said: “Wholesale costs are currently the largest component of final consumer bills, so understanding what drives changes in wholesale prices is crucial for businesses if they wish to protect their interests both now and in the future.

“Over the past decade, the trend for both gas and power wholesale prices was typically more up than down, but recently this trend has changed and prices have fallen, driven by a combination of the loosening of global gas markets, significant declines in the price of oil and local drivers such as mild weather, which has reduced demand.

“Taking into account these contributing factors, has enabled us to advise companies on forward-thinking strategies that has seen some dramatic cost saving results.

“Operating in a market driven by external factors, many of which can often be unforeseen, means constantly fluctuacting prices. Recent events led by the UK’s exit from Europe pose threats of future price rises and these, coupled with the rising costs of non-wholesale costs - soon set to reach 60% of a business’ bill – means further uncertainty for consumers.

“We are constantly working to negate these costs for our clients and will continue to with Chamber members to maintain reasonable costs and protect them from any risk.”

In coming months too, Businesswise will be able to offer members the opportunity to save on water bills following the pending deregulation of this vital utility.

Peter added: “Key to the strategic long term solution of all utility services is the use of Businesswise Solutions’ bespoke management portal, UTILITYi, enabling businesses to get to the very core of their consumption patterns and identifying and alerting businesses of high cost drivers and unusual spikes in activity across the board."  

Latest news

1

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications Taste Lancashire Producers awards

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications

15 Sep 2025

2

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix Stuart Buckley

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix

15 Sep 2025

3

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay Coun Valerie Wise

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay

15 Sep 2025

4

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities New dental facilities at University of Lancashire

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities

15 Sep 2025

5

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin