Mid Ulster's oil buying clubs helping locals save hundreds

Hundreds has already been saved for members in towns and villages across Mid Ulster, which has clubs catering to most of the district's main towns.

An Seansiopa Oil Buying Club which started in Lisnahull now covers all of Dungannon Town.

There is also Cookstown Oil Buying Club which covers Coagh and all of Cookstown town, and DAMOC which covers Desertmartin, Tobermore, Magherafelt, Moneymore and Castledawson.

The average price of 500 litres of oil in Northern Ireland has increased by approximately 16p per litre increase.

Funded by the Housing Executive and managed for them by Bryson Energy, there are currently 27 Oil Buying Clubs operating throughout NI, allowing communities to reduce their energy bills by collectively buying their oil since the scheme began in 2014.

The Housing Executive’s Sustainable Development Manager Robert Clements said: "We are pleased with the progress of the oil buying club schemes. It has not only saved money for those involved, but helped create community cohesion by bringing residents together in the area through the oil buying club scheme.

"The Oil Buying Club Scheme is opened to all; from Housing Executive tenants, owner-occupiers, housing association tenants and those who privately rent. They are free to join and members can expect savings between £10 and £30 on their orders.

Raymond Gormley from Bryson Energy added: "Oil is the main fuel for almost 70 per cent of homes in Northern Ireland and its price remains changeable. Between the 27 oil clubs, we have over 4,300 members, we have completed nearly 500 oil buys and we have ordered almost 4 million litres of oil for our members.

"We are delighted with the positive response from the members of the Oil Buying Clubs and look forward to continuing to organise the purchase of home heating oil in these communities, so they can reap the benefits of collective oil buying. We would especially encourage more people to join their local oil clubs."

Each month Bryson Energy call, send texts or emails for orders.

A household can order as be little as 200 litres (approx £80-£85) or as much as 2,300 litres.

All orders are added together so the Oil Buying Club can negotiate a better price on the bulk order and then the savings are passed through to members.

To join the Oil Buying Club, you can call Bryson Energy's advice line on 0800 1422 865 or visit the Bryson Energy website - http://www.brysonenergy.org/what-we-do/our-services/oil-buying-clubs