Mexborough could be without Christmas lights this year after a dispute with nPower over electricity billing

A Doncaster town could be without Christmas lights this year after organisers got into a dispute with nPower over electricity billing.

Volunteers from MECi (Mexborough Events Committee inclusive) made a complaint to the electricity giant regarding confusion around invoices, conflicting amounts, and delays in communication in May this year.

In question is the energy consumption used for 12 small Christmas lights in the town centre between November 20 last year and January 6 2026.

One invoice said MECi owed £567.99, another £555.15.

Group treasurer Sean Gibbons has been following up the complaint with a series of emails.

In his latest he said: “I am still somewhat confused and disappointed with the current situation and do not understand your internal processes and billing methods.

“We are a small group of volunteers trying our best to put on community events in a very deprived town of Mexborough.

“So how much do we owe you exactly for the energy consumption of 12 small Christmas lights in the town centre between 20th Nov 2025 and 6th Jan 2026?! Is it £567.99 vs £555.15??!

“Please confirm the exact amount we owe and how to pay that to you. We will pay whatever we owe to nPower from the very small reserves in our MECi bank account which will mean that we are unable to afford to put up Christmas lights in Mexborough again this year.”

Sim Gharu, specialist complaints advisor at nPower, said: “I recognise the important work your volunteer group, MECi, is doing to support local families through community events, and appreciate the challenges you face with limited financial resources.

“Upon reviewing the situation, it appears there has been a breakdown in communication and follow-through regarding your requests for detailed information and clarification on your account.

“I apologise that the promised information was not provided in a timely manner, and that emails were sent to an incorrect address.”

And continued: “ I am currently looking into this with our unmetered supply team to better explain the charges applied to your account and the reasons behind them.

“Additionally, I am researching the NPower Community Foundation Fund to explore whether there is any assistance we can provide to help with the outstanding debt, fully recognising the important work your group does in holding free events for the local community.”