Isle of Man's monopoly gas provider shuts public counter service

Gas customers on the Isle of Man will no longer be able to access daytime public counter services from the island's monopoly gas provider.

Isle of Man Energy said was set to close the reception at its office in Douglas from Monday due to a decline in those using the service.

The firm said counter staff had all been offered new roles.

Managing director Aidan Baglow said the "vast majority" of customer needs could be dealt with online or over the phone.

Mr Baglow said it was "no longer viable or necessary to run a fully staffed reception service", which was "inefficient and had seen a significant decline in the number of users".

The firm said vulnerable customers who still wanted to speak to the firm face-to-face would be able to request appointments in future.

The gas provider had invested in "online and call centre offerings" so customers can manage accounts and bills either digitally or over the phone, a spokeswoman said.

Isle of Man Energy customers have previously raised problems with inaccurate billing and other payment issues.

Mr Baglow said the changes would help customers access services "in the most convenient and simple way possible".

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