A Bungay café is in line to save pounds and reduce carbon emissions thanks to advice from a energy expert.
Earsham Street Café has become one of Suffolk’s first businesses to receive a free carbon footprint and tailored decarbonisation plan as part of a new Net Zero Business Advisor Service.
The service is a partnership between the community and environmental charity Groundwork East and Suffolk’s local authorities.
It aims to deliver free and impartial expert advice to help businesses and organisations save energy, reduce their emissions and establish tailored decarbonisation plans.
Owners Gemma Parker and Mike Hennessey were keen to reduce their carbon footprint and use energy more efficiently in their restaurant, bakery and their grade II listed building as a whole.
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They were aware of some solutions but were unsure what might be suitable for their business and where to start first.
One solution they were particularly interested in is a solar panel and whether they would be eligible for any grant funding to install one.
Once referred to the Net Zero Business Advisor Service, Richard Jenner, a sustainability consultant at Groundwork East, worked with the owners to establish how energy is currently being used in the building.
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This allowed Mr Jenner to identify key opportunities to improve the carbon footprint of the café.
It was estimated the café could cut its carbon footprint by a third every year.
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Mr Hennessey said: "This support enabled us to see the difference that the solar panel would make to our business and understand if we are eligible for an East Suffolk Council grant that we had heard about."
Support is financed by the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Organisations can call 01473 350370 or email netzerosuffolk@groundwork.org.uk to speak to a Net Zero consultant.
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