AROUND 130,000 Yorkshire Water business customers are to be transferred to a sister company from April, the utility announced today.

The move will see Yorkshire Water’s businesses, charities and public sector customers switched to the recently formed Three Sixty business, which was set up by the Bradford-based Kelda Group to meet the specific needs of business customers in preparation for full competition in the water retail market in 2017.

Richard Flint, Kelda Group and Yorkshire Water chief executive said: “Yorkshire Water believes the interests of its non-household customers in the new competitive retail market can best be served by transferring provision of their retail services to sister company Three Sixty.

“We are confident the great service and value that customers of Yorkshire Water have come to expect will continue to be delivered and improved upon by this arrangement. Three Sixty have already demonstrated their customer service credentials by providing retail services under contract to all of Yorkshire Water’s business customers since April 2016.

“The changes in the water market provide Three Sixty with the opportunity to become a truly innovative water retailer and allow Yorkshire Water to focus on delivering our strategic business objectives and successful outcomes around the 26 performance commitments we have made to our customers”

Yorkshire Water continue to provide retail servies to 2,2 million house and retain responsibility for the water and waste water treatment and network functions .

It will contact business customers about details of the change in the coming months.

Robert Marrill, Three Sixty managing director, said: “We are delighted Yorkshire Water has selected Three Sixty as their retailer of choice for the region’s non household customers.

“Our business is centred on adding value and helping businesses make water work for them as seamlessly and cost effectively as possible.”.