AN energy expert has been holding bills clinics to help people save cash as homeowners and businesses feel the pinch.

Worcester homes and businesses are being hit by rising energy costs, despite Government intervention to try and reduce the impact.

We have already reported how Aquatics and Reptiles in Swanpool Walk, Worcester, is closing at the end of the month after 14 years in St John’s with owner Clive Longstaff blaming rising energy bills.

READ MORE: Families face energy bills struggle

READ MORE: St John's pet shop Aquatics and Reptiles to close

Philip Fowler, a non-executive director and investor at ODOS Properties and Partners, has been heading up clinics for households and businesses to try to help people negotiate their way through the energy crisis.

The Energy Price Guarantee is a Government initiative to reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that a typical household pays, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next two years from October 1.

On average usage, a household will save £1,000 a year (based on current prices from October).

Energy suppliers will be fully compensated by the government for the savings delivered to households.

Meanwhile, the government announced it will cap wholesale electricity and gas costs for non-domestic users at less than half the market rate expected this winter from the start of October but the package will initially last for only six months.

Extra help may potentially be offered to vulnerable firms and organisations beyond March.

However, city-based energy expert Philip Fowler said some wrongly believed they would pay no more than £2,500 for their domestic energy bills.

Mr Fowler, also a non-executive director and trustee at Worcester Community Trust, said: "The more you use, the more you pay."

Mr Fowler has been helping Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) at business bills clinics with their number one cost being utilities, describing the non-domestic cap as 'a short term fix'.

He said businesses which used a lot of electricity - such as those involved in manufacturing - had been hit because they were using a lot of electricity to power machinery.

One clinic lasted between 9am and 8pm, taking the form of a series of one-to-ones with business owners to see what can be done to lower their bills.

Another is scheduled to take place today (Wednesday).

Mr Fowler, one of the Queen's baton bearers for the Commonwealth Games, said: "We're going through all their bills, looking at where they can save money."

He said he expected more such clinics would be held and that it was 'a dangerous and risky game waiting for Government intervention'.

"It really is about being proactive. I'm prepared to help any business or household in the city, to help people save money. My advice to any household in the city is don't do nothing. Don't sit on your hands. There is help and support out there." 

He urged people to contact him via email at philip@philipfowler.com