Posted on Tuesday 8th August 2023
Martin Taylor, Director of Taylor’s Classics in their showroom with their new lighting
Hundreds of Staffordshire businesses are having a positive impact on climate change and the planet thanks to funding worth £1.1 million.
A property company, furniture dealer, golf club and a family-run ceramics manufacturer are amongst the companies who have used the funding to help them reduce their carbon emissions.
The county council's Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme (LCBEP) in partnership with Staffordshire Business and Environment Network (SBEN) has supported over 350 businesses with FREE energy efficiency reviews and provided grants to over 145 companies.
The programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Midlands Engine is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by over 2,250 tonnes annually.
Cannock based ATP Group Industries Ltd. received £20,000 for Lighting and Infra-red Heating. Mark Bowen, Group Sales Director said:
“The installation of low energy lighting is a great catalyst both in reducing operating cost on utility spend as well as making a huge difference to all our staff."
Mark explains more about the fund here.
Family-run commercial laundry company, Iron Maidens Ltd., based in Newcastle-under-Lyme received a grant of £12,842 towards the cost of a bespoke heating system. They expect to make savings of £13,214 and the equivalent of 38 tonnes of CO2 per year. Daniel Bridgett, Operations Director said:
“We know from our figures alone that we have reduced our running costs by two thirds, increased our production by 30% and we’re much more environmentally friendly now. Moving forwards we can now grow the business in the way that we want to”.
Daniel explains more about the fund in this short video.
Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We’re extremely pleased with the success of the programme in helping reduce the amount of carbon emissions and achieving our goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
“We all have a role to play in tackling climate change and reducing our impact on the planet and I’m proud of what many of our local businesses have done to help.”
Taylor’s Classics, based in Stafford, received £10,000 towards the cost of a new wood burner and LED lights for their 40,000 ft2 furniture warehouse. They hope to save £23,524 and the equivalent of 14.72 tonnes of CO2 per year. Richard Forrester, Warehouse Manager said:
“Through SBEN and the programme we have undertaken an energy assessment, installed new LED lighting throughout the warehouse and installed a wood burner for space heating. These investments have helped reduce waste, improve efficiency, save money, and become more self-sustainable as a business.”
Dog & Bone Properties Ltd., in Newcastle received £3,386 towards a smart heating control system, costing just £5,645, for their Aparthotel building in the town. Since installing the equipment and other small changes to how they operate they expect to make annual energy savings of around £13,885, and the equivalent of a massive 66.5 tonnes of CO2.
Ashley Booth, Project Manager at the group said:
“Since we opened the Aparthotel building in 2016, we have been looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of the building. Working with LCBEP helped us to understand the best way to reduce our carbon footprint and helped to fund the project. As customers use their rooms at different times, we wanted a way to be able to customise their heating settings on check in. We are very pleased with the end result and urge other businesses to use the programme.”
Walpole Fine Bone China, a family-run ceramics manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent received £9,898 towards the cost of new more energy efficient compressors and LED lights. Carole Knight, Sales & Marketing Director said:
“The whole process has been so straightforward, well organised and thoroughly professional.”
Drayton Park Golf Club in Tamworth received a grant of £10,000 to upgrade their kitchen lighting and equipment to more energy efficient alternatives. The club hope to make annual savings of around £7,903 per year and the equivalent of 11.8 tonnes of CO2.
Burton Hockey Club also received a grant of £10,000 to upgrade to LED lighting. They hope to make estimated annual savings of £18,666 annually and the equivalent of 5.43 tonnes of CO2.
Staffordshire County Council continues to advocate for low carbon practices and supporting the business community in their sustainability journey. A similar programme is due to be launched later this year.
Further information is available on the SBEN website.