Bristol Rob Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Bristol taxpayers have given Bristol Energy over 17million quid to this loss making energy provider, run by the city council and recording losses in the many millions annually. And now their incentive to sign up with them comes with the offer of sixty quid worth of vouchers (I hate that word) to spend on Gas merchandise. https://www.bristol-energy.co.uk/partners/bristol-rovers So, we are effectively buying Rovers shirts (indirectly) if you are a tax payer. Is this ethical? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTRFTG Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 No, if I were a ratepayer I'd raise an FOI to determine the cost, if any, of the incentive, if subsidized - they might clarify whether or not the subsidy is ringfenced against elements of Bristol Energy's operation. If it isn't they should be asked to demonstrate they are not promoting the commercial interest of a business in open competition with its rivals. Unless demonstrated that the incentive represents 'at price or loss leader' to the commercial partner on the goods or services offered the Council, I think, are foul of the terms of their remit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richwwtk Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 That's a very small target market they are after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOTBLUE Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, richwwtk said: That's a very small target market they are after. Niche market,I think it’s called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan Cork Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 They are a 'stand-alone' company to the side of the council, so are able to spend money on what they would see as marketing - they paid for a 'solar balloon' at the balloon fiesta, and so on. But ultimately, it would seem that this is the case. The money they are giving to Rovers has ultimately come from the city council, and so ultimately from the taxpayers of Bristol. So It's a good point @Bristol Rob - and I'll do some digging. On the face of it, there's nothing specifically untoward about it, it's a legitimate thing to do - so it might have to be an article pointing this out, and suggesting that Bristol City fans aren't too happy that their taxpayers' money is going to Rovers' club shop. If anyone wants to be quoted expressing their mild annoyance at this, let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42nite Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Tinpot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busterrimes Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tristan Cork said: They are a 'stand-alone' company to the side of the council, so are able to spend money on what they would see as marketing - they paid for a 'solar balloon' at the balloon fiesta, and so on. But ultimately, it would seem that this is the case. The money they are giving to Rovers has ultimately come from the city council, and so ultimately from the taxpayers of Bristol. So It's a good point @Bristol Rob - and I'll do some digging. On the face of it, there's nothing specifically untoward about it, it's a legitimate thing to do - so it might have to be an article pointing this out, and suggesting that Bristol City fans aren't too happy that their taxpayers' money is going to Rovers' club shop. If anyone wants to be quoted expressing their mild annoyance at this, let me know Tristan, the most annoying thing about this is when City were in financial troubles in 1982 Bristol City Council were willing to help City financially but had to revoke that offer when Rovers complained that they were not receiving equal. It is not just the club shop that Bristol Energy are helping I believe they have a sponsorship pitchside at the ground too. I know I won't change my supplier to Bristol Energy now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gasbuster Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, Busterrimes said: Tristan, the most annoying thing about this is when City were in financial troubles in 1982 Bristol City Council were willing to help City financially but had to revoke that offer when Rovers complained that they were not receiving equal. It is not just the club shop that Bristol Energy are helping I believe they have a sponsorship pitchside at the ground too. I know I won't change my supplier to Bristol Energy now Too right; anybody BUT Bristol Energy, I would suggest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snufflelufagus Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Ah the council owned energy company which the council don't actually buy their energy from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibor Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 35 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said: Bristol taxpayers have given Bristol Energy over 17million quid to this loss making energy provider, run by the city council and recording losses in the many millions annually. Bristol taxpayers haven't given anything to Bristol Energy and the council don't run them any more. The council made an investment and will get a return on that in a couple of years when Bristol Energy is in the black. Starting up an energy company requires making losses whilst it gets off the ground. The point in doing it aside from the return on investment is to give people an alternative to the big six and their price gouging and collusion which ultimately funnels money to their largely overseas shareholders. Buying from Bristol Energy will ultimately benefit Bristol. Yes the gas link is distasteful but I expect it will get used by about a dozen misguided idiots in total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 Trouble is that this will lose a vast potential market as no City fan would want to be associated with this company. Seems like a badly thought out promotion to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie andrews Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 27 minutes ago, Tristan Cork said: They are a 'stand-alone' company to the side of the council, so are able to spend money on what they would see as marketing - they paid for a 'solar balloon' at the balloon fiesta, and so on. But ultimately, it would seem that this is the case. The money they are giving to Rovers has ultimately come from the city council, and so ultimately from the taxpayers of Bristol. So It's a good point @Bristol Rob - and I'll do some digging. On the face of it, there's nothing specifically untoward about it, it's a legitimate thing to do - so it might have to be an article pointing this out, and suggesting that Bristol City fans aren't too happy that their taxpayers' money is going to Rovers' club shop. If anyone wants to be quoted expressing their mild annoyance at this, let me know my "mild annoyance" would be ******* unprintable TC..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InCyder Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 'local heroes' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 I think Bristol Rugby as they were then had some link up with them last season, but not this. I’m sure there was logo on some clothing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan Cork Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 10 minutes ago, Nibor said: Bristol taxpayers haven't given anything to Bristol Energy and the council don't run them any more. The council made an investment and will get a return on that in a couple of years when Bristol Energy is in the black. Starting up an energy company requires making losses whilst it gets off the ground. The point in doing it aside from the return on investment is to give people an alternative to the big six and their price gouging and collusion which ultimately funnels money to their largely overseas shareholders. Buying from Bristol Energy will ultimately benefit Bristol. Yes the gas link is distasteful but I expect it will get used by about a dozen misguided idiots in total. Bristol taxpayers just gave another few million quid to Bristol Energy. The council don't run them, no, but are bankrolling them right now. Just last month, another big bail out. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-city-council-increases-stake-1857987 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan Cork Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, Chappers said: Trouble is that this will lose a vast potential market as no City fan would want to be associated with this company. Seems like a badly thought out promotion to me doesn't seem to affect Thatchers, mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, Tristan Cork said: doesn't seem to affect Thatchers, mind Could be that decent cider triumphs, or Gasheads are too stupid to realise. You’ll never see a Gahead betting with Dunder, mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Rob Posted September 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 41 minutes ago, Tristan Cork said: They are a 'stand-alone' company to the side of the council, so are able to spend money on what they would see as marketing - they paid for a 'solar balloon' at the balloon fiesta, and so on. But ultimately, it would seem that this is the case. The money they are giving to Rovers has ultimately come from the city council, and so ultimately from the taxpayers of Bristol. So It's a good point @Bristol Rob - and I'll do some digging. On the face of it, there's nothing specifically untoward about it, it's a legitimate thing to do - so it might have to be an article pointing this out, and suggesting that Bristol City fans aren't too happy that their taxpayers' money is going to Rovers' club shop. If anyone wants to be quoted expressing their mild annoyance at this, let me know 'I would like my mild annoyance noted' said Bristol Rob of popular Internet Forum 'OTIB' - 'and you can quote me on that!', he added, before helpfully adding in a photo of himself to aid identification and provide more weight to this shocking news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unan Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 “Rovers” and “free” in the same sentence, what’s new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeh Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 21 minutes ago, Chappers said: Trouble is that this will lose a vast potential market as no City fan would want to be associated with this company. Seems like a badly thought out promotion to me if city fans don't want to use them because they are linked with rovers is petty, if they provide a service that is value for money and cheaper then the big energy firms then then use them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibor Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 15 minutes ago, Tristan Cork said: Bristol taxpayers just gave another few million quid to Bristol Energy. The council don't run them, no, but are bankrolling them right now. Just last month, another big bail out. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-city-council-increases-stake-1857987 At the risk of repeating myself, no, the council didn't give money to Bristol Energy. I know we can't expect much from evil post reporters but there's a fundamental difference between giving and making an investment. Working for the daily mail must be soul destroying but please do try to have a basic level of integrity and avoid using misleading nonsense terms like bail out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie andrews Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, Monkeh said: if city fans don't want to use them because they are linked with rovers is petty, if they provide a service that is value for money and cheaper then the big energy firms then then use them yeah lets all bail out rovers too..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Rob Posted September 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 8 minutes ago, Monkeh said: if city fans don't want to use them because they are linked with rovers is petty, if they provide a service that is value for money and cheaper then the big energy firms then then use them This completely. I don't imagine anyone stopped drinking Thatchers because they've sponsored Rovers before. My point was more around them marketing to a very small pool of people with what appears to a very generous incentive given they are in receipt of central funds. Parky gives you a Parker Pen (just for enquiring) and Bristol Energy seem to be lumping out significant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeh Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, archie andrews said: yeah lets all bail out rovers too..... I'd rather think of my own bills first, then a bit of football triblism, have people stopped drinking blackthorn or Thatchers or Doombar? they all sponsor rovers at some point, what about boycoting milk? That sort of thinking is basically a bit bristol rovers and people should rise above it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie andrews Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, Monkeh said: I'd rather think of my own bills first, then a bit of football triblism, have people stopped drinking blackthorn or Thatchers or Doombar? they all sponsor rovers at some point, what about boycoting milk? That sort of thinking is basically a bit bristol rovers and people should rise above it so you are saying its wrong to hate the gas then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 I don’t think people are worried about various sponsors if they are independent companies, Thatchers etc, but when a company is propped up by the local council who people pay council tax to to cover amenities and services I don’t think they should then expect it to then prop up an ailing football club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Rob Posted September 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, Nibor said: At the risk of repeating myself, no, the council didn't give money to Bristol Energy. I know we can't expect much from evil post reporters but there's a fundamental difference between giving and making an investment. Working for the daily mail must be soul destroying but please do try to have a basic level of integrity and avoid using misleading nonsense terms like bail out. Okay, would it be fair to say that Bristol Council have invested more in a loss making energy supplier than Wally has in a loss making football club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibor Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 minute ago, Bristol Rob said: Okay, would it be fair to say that Bristol Council have invested more in a loss making energy supplier than Wally has in a loss making football club? Almost, I think football club is a bit generous. But then I've invested more in the local pub than Wally has invested in the blue few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolf Hucker Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 12 minutes ago, Monkeh said: if city fans don't want to use them because they are linked with rovers is petty, if they provide a service that is value for money and cheaper then the big energy firms then then use them There's a computer shop in Henbury which is no doubt cheaper than some larger alternative companies but I won't be using it anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan Cork Posted September 21, 2018 Report Share Posted September 21, 2018 14 minutes ago, Nibor said: At the risk of repeating myself, no, the council didn't give money to Bristol Energy. I know we can't expect much from evil post reporters but there's a fundamental difference between giving and making an investment. Working for the daily mail must be soul destroying but please do try to have a basic level of integrity and avoid using misleading nonsense terms like bail out. Daily Mail? The Post hasn't been owned by the Daily Mail for years and years. We're now owned by, effectively, the Mirror. Bristol Energy would've gone bust by now were it not for the millions invested in it by Bristol City Council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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