Whitbread Group PLC has applied for a Water Supply Licence and Sewerage Licence with a self-supply authorisation and proposal by Ofwat to modify the standard licence conditions that will apply to Whitbread, if it is granted a self- supply licence.
Whitbread Group PLC is a hotel, restaurant and coffee shop operator – its brands include Costa, Premier Inn, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater Grill and Table Table - the company has 1081 supplies in England.
Whitbread says that a self-supply licence will enable it to build on efficiency works already undertaken, whilst driving cost and consumption control in the next phase of its water management strategy. In addition, it hopes that being an active participant in the market will drive further innovation and provide a direct customer voice in MOSL discussions.
The company believes that having a self-supply licence will give it a chance to take more control over its own water use, deal directly with the suppliers and build on its water strategy programme.
In order to facilitate the application, Greene King has entered a partnership agreement with Waterscan to take on the role and responsibilities for the retail functions including meter reading, central market operating system transactions, wholesaler management, paying water and sewerage charges through the settlement process, and finding further water efficiency savings. The partnership will take the form of a contractual agreement between the parties.
In summary, as a self-supply licensee, Whitbread will:
- pay wholesale prices – the price that retailers pay to the water companies;
- not pay retail margin added by suppliers in the open water market;
- become a market participant including membership of MOSL with voting rights and the ability to directly influence the market; and
- be able to supply water services to multiple sites for its business.
Deadline to submit representations or objections to Ofwat about the application is 28 April 2017.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.