Following a successful procurement exercise, Coventry City Council has been appointed to deliver an advice service on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and five district and borough councils.
Designed to support the creation of a green, growing, and sustainable economy across Warwickshire through promoting energy efficiency, the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS) will deliver a new business energy advice programme in the county with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The programme forms part of the £4.6million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council.
The WBEAS package of support offers businesses in Nuneaton and Bedworth and the rest of the county the opportunity to:
- lower energy costs and reduce exposure to future energy price volatility
- create productivity increases through lower input costs, resulting in cost savings
- increase their environmental credentials and access new supply chains
- improve access to new markets
- benefit from peer-to-peer learning and collaboration
- reduce costs and deliver a bottom-line impact
Cllr Kris Wilson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration, said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of this new initiative.
“We all know that these are tough economic times, and businesses are no exception to this.
“It is important that we can help reduce their energy costs and assist with keeping their businesses viable.
“Only when we support local businesses can we ensure we are supporting local jobs.
“I think this is a win-win situation for all concerned and would encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply.”
Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, said:
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service, a pivotal initiative driving our county towards a green, sustainable economy.
“Through strategic collaboration and the support of Coventry City Council, we aim to empower Warwickshire businesses to embrace energy efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities.
“Together, we pave the way for a brighter, low-carbon future."
It is anticipated that the WBEAS support programme will include a Government funded capital grant scheme to support businesses with low carbon adoption identified within the decarbonisation plans. Updates on this will be circulated once confirmed.
Find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visiting the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website.