SWINDON-based energy supplier npower has vowed to improve after coming rock bottom in a customer survey of the UK’s top 100 brands.

Consumer specialist Which? carried out the research with the company, based at the Windmill Hill Business Park, replacing Ryanair at the bottom of the pile.

But an npower spokesman said improvements to customer service had already started.

“We’re determined to improve and we’re already making progress,” he said.

“Since this survey was carried out we’ve reduced the number of late bills by over 75 per cent and the number of complaints we received by nearly 30 per cent.

“However, we know we still have a long way to go before we can reach the top spot and we’re continuing to focus all of our efforts in this area.”

The poll saw 3,621 consumers surveyed to find service champions as well as those who aren’t up to scratch. Npower, which employs around 2,000 people, had a customer satisfaction score of 57 per cent.

The company is one of the country’s big six energy firm which includes with British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Scottish Power and SSE.

The Which? study found that none of these firms scored more than two stars, out of five, for making customers feel valued.

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said: “The big six energy companies have now hit rock bottom for customer service and, with record high levels of complaints, it is clear just how far they still have to go to put things right for their customers.

“Good companies know the value of customer service, so it’s disappointing that some of our biggest firms seem to have a lot to learn about keeping their customers happy.

“This survey should be a wake up call for the companies with the lowest customer scores.”

Topping the study was bank First Direct who scored 87 per cent, retailer Lush came second with 86 per cent and John Lewis enjoyed 83 per cent approval in third place.