Social club blames lost income on energy switch

Sam Boulter, Honeybourne Railway Club secretary, said the issue had already cost them £1,000

A social club has claimed it lost £1,000 of income after it was left with no electricity and was forced to close.

Sam Boulter, secretary of the Honeybourne Railway Club near Evesham, Worcestershire, said EDF Energy recommended the club switch to a pay-as-you-go plan to save on costs.

But on 4 January, the day of the switch, all power in the building was lost and members have been unable to use the facility.

An EDF spokesperson apologised, said it was investigating the issue as a priority and the power was restored on Wednesday night.

Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester, Mr Boulter said: “I’ve been here 20 years as club secretary and I’ve never known anything like it.

“I’ve spoken to them [EDF Energy] several times and it’s exactly the same, ‘we are sorry, we are trying all our best' and all this rubbish.

“They must train them to be so polite but nothing’s happening."

The club depended on its weekend bingo sessions for income and had been unable to host them since the switch day, he added.

EDF apologised for the issues faced by the club

The Honeybourne Railway Club was formed in the late 1940s for the railway workers in the village and now has about 80 members.

An EDF spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to hear about the problems being faced by the Honeybourne Railway Club and we’re investigating this as a priority and hope to find a quick resolution."