ScottishPower customers are set to benefit from major improvements to the company's Powercard Payment Network.

From September 27, an independent network will replace the existing arrangement where customers currently buy their Powercards from Post Office Counters Ltd.

The independent network will allow all 390,000 Powercard customers to buy their cards from a wider range of outlets including local shops, convenience stores, grocery chains, 24-hour garages and ScottishPower High Street shops.

The number of Payment Network outlets currently stands at 811 and is still growing.

The network will offer customers a more flexible and improved service, enabling them to buy Powercards outwith normal opening hours, in the evenings, all day on Saturdays and on Sundays.

New high tech electronic terminals will be used throughout the network and these have been supplied by Fife firm De La Rue Fortronic.

The contract with the Dunfermline firm has created nine new jobs within the company.Particular attention has been paid to the geographic spread of the expanding network, which covers rural, as well as urban areas, to ensure outlets are as conveniently located as possible for local customers.

ScottishPower has been developing the network over the past two years to meet a growing demand from customers seeking to buy Powercards outwith normal shop opening times.

The independent network of outlets will mean that customers will no longer be able to buy their Powercards from Post Offices from September 27, 1997.

Current arrangements for ScottishPower customers paying their electricity bills at Post Offices will continue.

Letters are being sent out to all ScottishPower's Powercard customers to advise them of the changes and the locations of all outlets in their area.

Community groups and local authorities have also been informed.

Bill Landels, ScottishPower's Managing Director of Energy Supply, said: The new arrangement moves us closer to our Powercard customers and offers them greater levels of convenience when purchasing Powercards.

For example, it allows them the flexibility to buy cards in the evenings and on Sundays.

The establishment of this improved network is in addition to a freeze in prepayment rental charges over the past four years and the introduction of a discount for Powercard customers.

For more information on the Powercard network contact the ScottishPower Call Centre 0845 27 27 111.

Further Information:
ScottishPower Press Office
Gordon Laidlaw or Colin McSeveny,                                     0141 248 8200