Queen’s Park FC Negotiate Money Saving Transfer Deal

Scotland’s oldest senior football club has uncovered an unexpected way to save money, allowing it to be pumped back onto the pitch or into its vital community work.

Glasgow based Queen’s Park FC, recently discovered it could save 12% on its annual water bill by changing supplier to Thames Water Commercial Services.

All businesses in Scotland are free to change water supplier thanks to the unique commercial market that has been in place since 2008, but many businesses large and small remain unaware of the potential savings that could be available.

Along with the reduction in tariff, Thames Water Commercial Services will also give Queen’s Park expert advice on how to reduce consumption – something that could help the club a great deal in the future as it is currently responsible for washing all the Scotland football strips as well as its own team kits.

Despite the first team playing its League Two matches at the neighbouring national stadium, Hampden Park, the club is based at Lesser Hampden, which hosts training for the club’s youth teams starting at U11 through to U20, senior squad and a ladies squad, each training at least three times every week.
The changing facilities and player consumption add to the importance of the water supply – and the size of the bill.

Christine Wright, General Manager and Company Secretary at Queen’s Park Football Club, said the money saved can make a real difference as it can be put towards its youth training or progressing its community projects, such as its award-winning ‘Tackling Recovery’ program, which hosts activities for men returning from mental and physical illnesses.

She said: “Until the team at Thames Water Commercial Services spoke to us we had no idea we could switch supplier and certainly didn’t imagine we could make such significant savings on our water bill.

“The whole process was remarkably painless – it did not affect operations and the switch was complete just three weeks following the agreement.

“We expect to save around 12% on our bill over the next year. With so many football clubs going through financial difficulty these savings are absolutely crucial.

“On top of the large costs involved in washing and drying the Queen’s Park and Scotland kits, it also costs us a great deal to coach and support so many youth teams, but it’s vital for the future success of the club and for the prosperity and wellbeing of the local area.

Christine added: “We welcome any cost savings which help us to achieve this and the switch to Thames is likely to have a direct impact on what we can achieve not just on the pitch, but off it, in our projects with the local community.”

With the non-domestic retail water market only opening up to competition in Scotland in 2008, many companies still remain unaware that they can choose their water supplier, which can result in significant cost savings.

Alan Munro, Sales Manager for Thames Water Commercial Services, revealed that most firms he speaks to are not only unaware that they can change supplier, but also shocked by the amount they can save by switching supplier and managing its consumption more effectively.
He said: “It is great to hear of yet another organisation, which does such vital work, being able to save money and divert spending to worthwhile parts of the business that positively impact on people’s lives.

“As Scotland’s oldest club it is evident that Queen’s Park is proud of its traditions, but is very modern in its thinking, looking at ways to operate more efficiently and continue its vital work.

“Queens Park certainly aren’t alone in being shocked by the potential reduction in cost, but the initial savings are just the tip of the iceberg.

“We also we do all we can to encourage best water practices amongst staff and we have an expert team of consultants with access to state of the art technology, all of which can help ensure water is not being wasted – no matter what size or type of business it is.”

Since its launch in 2013, TWCS is now servicing approximately 1000 sites, from a wide variety of sectors including a dex exchange, finance, leisure, commercial and retail sectors. Most have enjoyed average savings of between 10-15% on their annual water spend through switching supplier, with some clients saving as much as 20%.

Since 2008, when the retail market was opened to competition in Scotland, around 130,000 non-household customers have been able to choose who can supply their water and wastewater services. England will see a similar competitive water retail market opening in 2017.