A BOURNEMOUTH water firm has signed 2,000 new commercial contracts in its first six months.

Pennon Water Services has taken advantage of the introduction of competition into the non-household water market back in April, the biggest shake-up in the industry for decades allowing more than 1.2 million businesses, charities and public sector groups to choose where they buy their water and waste water services from.

The company, which trades locally as Bournemouth Water Business and nationally as Source for Business, now employs 90 people from its head office in Francis Avenue.

Services director Richard Stanbrook said: "The first six months of the new market have been hugely exciting and successful for Pennon Water Services.

"We have built our business around our customers’ needs with a clear and simple approach to pricing, making it easy for customers to do business with us.

"Our range of services help businesses of all sizes to review their water usage and where possible use less, saving them money whilst conserving a precious natural resource."

The wholesale suppliers of water and waste water services are the same under the new policy, and domestic retail services are unaffected.

Pennon Water Services is a 80:20 joint venture between the FTSE 250 Pennon Group Plc and the South Staffordshire Group.

It currently serves about 180,000 business accounts across England and Scotland, from large multi-nationals to small and medium size enterprises.