Energy bills have been slashed, and productivity improved, for businesses in Stafford who tapped into a council fund.  

More than ten local businesses received a total of nearly £150,000 to help them introduce measures to become more sustainable - with some being highlighted in a series of short videos to celebrate their success.

They include Medi-Spa 28 on the town’s Eastgate Street who reduced their energy bills by £1400 a month installing air pump source heaters. Stafford Clay Studio were able to buy a bigger kiln which needs firing up only once a week - replacing the three times a week required by its smaller counterpart and helping cut costs. And Love Funerals on Mill Street, Stafford, has made its mortuary more "environmentally-friendly and energy efficient" as part of the initiative.

Barbara Pointon, Clinic Director, at Medi-Spa 28, said that not only has the funding supported a move to more sustainable energy generation, the savings made had also helped them to expand.

She said: “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."

The funding was secured by Stafford Borough Council from the government aimed at helping micro, small and medium sized outlets improve their green credentials. Eleven businesses made successful bids for grants of up to £30,000.

Some of those success stories can now be seen from Sustainability Success Stories.

Councillor Tony Pearce, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said the feedback from those who had benefited from receiving the grants sent a powerful message about how implementing more sustainable practices was very good for business.

The funding scheme was one of a number of initiatives the council launched to help the area become greener. And last year the local authority cut its target to hit net zero for carbon emissions from its own operations to 2035 - with people able to see more about what the council has done from Reducing Energy Consumption - What else have we done?

Councillor Pearce continued: “The huge reduction in costs demonstrated by just one business that converted to more sustainable energy generation is incredible to see - and now those savings are being reinvested to help their business thrive.  

“But rather than taking my word for it - listen to what those businesses say about the measures they have introduced with our support.”  

He added: “Climate change must be a priority for everyone. What we do, or don’t do now, is going to have a direct impact on future generations.”

Press Release No 6317