E.ON Next will take over Hub Energy's 6,000 domestic and 9,000 non-domestic customers from Friday, following a competitive process to find the best deal for customers, Ofgem said.

Any outstanding credit balances will be honoured, it confirmed.

"If customers wish to switch supplier they can shop around, but are advised to wait until the transfer has been completed," Ofgem said in a statement.

There are more than 50 small and mid-sized independent energy suppliers in Britain which have around a 30% share of the market.

The rest of the market is controlled by five large suppliers: OVO Energy's OVO Energy and SSE brands, EDF Energy, Centrica's British Gas, several E.ON brands and Iberdrola's Scottish Power.

(Reporting by Nora Buli; editing by David Evans)