Shop energy contract ending? Start with your bill
Updated 22 October 2026 · A guide for shop owners
An energy renewal is easier to deal with before it becomes urgent. Between stock deliveries and serving customers, the end date can slip past. Put a reminder three to six months ahead as a practical planning step. That gives you time to find the paperwork, understand your options and ask questions. It does not mean you must agree to a new contract that early.
Find out what happens at the end
Check the end date for electricity and gas separately. The two supplies may have different agreements. Ask your supplier to confirm what happens if you do nothing: the contract might renew, move to out-of-contract terms or, in some circumstances, become a deemed contract. Read the actual wording rather than assuming the current price will continue.
Out-of-contract rates can be higher than the rates you have been paying. Deemed and out-of-contract arrangements are not simply two names for the same contract. If a renewal letter uses words you do not recognise, ask for an explanation and keep the reply with your bill.
Check notice before choosing a start date
Read the notice and termination terms, including how any notice must be sent. Ask the supplier to confirm the earliest appropriate transfer date and whether any early-exit charge applies. Keep a dated copy of your message and an acknowledgement. Do not rely on notice rules from a previous supplier or a different shop.
Some businesses have extra protections depending on their size and contract. Ask which apply to your account. If a deadline is unclear, put that question to the supplier before agreeing a replacement. Agreeing a future supply date and ending the old agreement are related tasks, but one should not be assumed to complete the other.
Make the comparison about your shop
Have a recent bill ready, plus your annual usage if available. Check the supply address, meter reference and whether the bill uses actual or estimated readings. For a takeaway with gas cooking and electricity refrigeration, keep the supplies clearly labelled when you send the paperwork.
Compare unit rates, standing charges, contract length and any broker fees on the same basis. Ask what is fixed, what can change and what the total proposal includes. A quote based on the wrong meter or usage can be unhelpful even when the headline rate looks appealing. Ask for the written offer before deciding.
If a supplier objects to the switch
An existing supplier may object to a transfer, for example because of debt or contract terms. Ask for the reason and what must happen to resolve it. Give your adviser the reference and the supplier’s response. A proposed switch should not be treated as completed until the transfer is confirmed.
Keep the account details and correspondence together while the issue is checked. If you dispute a bill, explain which part you dispute and ask about the supplier’s complaints process. Do not ignore a letter because a new contract is being discussed. We can help explain paperwork, but cannot promise that an objection will be removed.
Use the early reminder to get organised
Starting three to six months ahead gives you room to compare calmly, not a guarantee of a better future price. Make a checklist: end date, notice query, latest bill and the person who can authorise an agreement. If you rent the premises, check that the account is in the correct business name.
Send us a photo of your bill and tell us when you believe the contract ends. Cover full bank details and unrelated personal information. We can begin by checking what is available and explaining what is still missing. Business energy terms can be binding when agreed by phone, so understand the offer before saying yes.
Questions shop owners ask
Will the supply simply stop when my fixed contract ends?
A fixed-price period ending does not normally mean the supply stops. Check what rates and terms apply afterwards, and keep dealing with bills and supplier correspondence.
Does every shop have the same notice period?
No. Check your agreement and ask which business protections apply. Do not assume a deadline from another account applies to yours.
Is three to six months early a deadline?
No. It is our practical reminder to start checking documents and options. The right renewal and transfer dates depend on your contract.