More than ten businesses in Stafford have received a combined total of nearly £150,000 in council grants to introduce sustainable measures and reduce energy costs.
Eleven businesses made successful bids for grants of up to £30,000 through a funding scheme secured by Stafford Borough Council from the government. The fund was designed to help micro, small and medium-sized businesses improve their environmental credentials.
Examples of Funded Projects
Medi-Spa 28 on Eastgate Street installed air source heat pumps, reducing their energy bills by £1,400 per month. Barbara Pointon, Clinic Director at Medi-Spa 28, said the funding had enabled the business to expand and offer additional services.
"What it has enabled us to do by way of further investment into offering other services has been quite phenomenal. It has been a huge win-win for us as a business," Pointon said.
Stafford Clay Studio used the funding to purchase a larger kiln, which needs firing only once a week instead of the three times weekly required by their previous smaller kiln, reducing operating costs.
Love Funerals on Mill Street, Stafford, made its mortuary more energy efficient and environmentally friendly as part of the initiative.
Council Support for Sustainability
Councillor Tony Pearce, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said the feedback from grant recipients showed that implementing sustainable practices was beneficial for business.
Video case studies of successful projects are available on the council's Sustainability Success Stories page. Stafford Borough Council has also set a target to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2035. Further details about the council's energy reduction work can be found on its Reducing Energy Consumption page.
