Time running out to apply for game-changing WBEAS grants
Warwickshire SMEs have been urged to ‘sign up now’ for an energy audit as the first step to receiving grant support which is transforming businesses across the county.
Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS) has already allocated grants of just over £403,000 to 12 businesses to help them become more energy efficient and thereby make significant savings.
A further £596,000 in grant funding is still to be awarded - but time is running out. Grant projects must be completed before the end of the current financial year, so businesses need to start the process by booking a free energy audit before 29th November. A subsequent grant may then fund up to 50% of project costs to a maximum value of £100K.
Among businesses to have received grant support already is Serene Care which runs Rugby Care Home in Clifton Road, Rugby. They received a WBEAS grant towards three major strands of work; upgrading an old gas boiler, installation of LED lighting and replacement of 1980s doors and windows.
Alongside the WBEAS advisor’s energy management recommendations, the work will save the business an estimated 31.35 tonnes of Co2 per year with an annual energy cost saving of around £15,000.
Serene Care chief executive Jay Dodhia says the support has been “fantastic” - and is urging businesses to get in touch with WBEAS.
“I would just like to say thank you so much,” said Jay. “I would encourage all businesses that are in a similar position to get their free energy audit booked as soon as possible because it not only improves your environmental efficiency but can make the business much more cost-effective. Sign up now!
“Without the WBEAS support we wouldn’t have been able to do the upgrade that was so badly needed. Everybody involved has been so helpful. Adam Plumb from Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub was great and put us in touch with Warwickshire County Council’s delivery partners at Coventry City Council. Business Energy Advisor Denise Osborne came out and did the survey for us and that was critical because without that we wouldn’t have been known what we needed. Denise was very comprehensive, and Louisa Smith at the County Council has also been fantastic, very patient and so organised, to guide us through the process.
“The boiler upgrade was most critical so that was done first. The lighting is now being upgraded and then the doors and windows. We are using local suppliers to do the work so the local economy is benefiting too and all this would have been unaffordable without the grant.”
Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “I am delighted that Serene Care and 11 other business across Warwickshire are now so much better placed for the future following WBEAS grants.
“To reduce emissions and at the same time become more productive and cost-effective really is a win-win, but time is running out so please, small businesses, get in touch with our team and book that initial energy audit.”
WBEAS was launched earlier this year as a part of the £4.6 million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council and the five District and Borough Councils in the county. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is also funding an expansion to the service as part of a West Midlands Combined Authority pilot including the grant scheme which is managed by the County Council.
Coventry City Council has been appointed to deliver the WBEAS service on behalf of the County Council and the five District and Borough Councils.