Nearly 700 Derbyshire businesses have already benefitted from free support to improve their energy efficiencies and growth, thanks to the Accelerator Project.
The project, which started last autumn, and funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is already making a tangible difference to businesses across the county. So far, over 400 businesses have received an hour or more of Business Adviser support which guides them in accessing the most appropriate support, whether it be the raft of initiatives that make up the Accelerator Project, or local authority or national grant funding.
Of the businesses supported so far, there has been almost a 50:50 split of those in urban and rural areas. Some 53 businesses have tapped into growth vouchers of up to £2,000 towards specialist training or consultancy advice and 50 have taken advantage of fully subsidised energy audits.
Of the grants and growth vouchers awarded to participating businesses, it is anticipated that 62 jobs will be created or safeguarded as a result of this support.
They include:
GAP Plastics, High Peak
Glossop-based business GAP Plastics offers plastic injection moulding services to a range of sectors. It is a major supplier of seamless buoyancy packages well suited to the harsh environment of deep-sea oil and gas applications.
Commenting on the support received from Chamber-appointed Energy Adviser Sophie Wragg, GAP Plastics Manufacturing Director Steven Fitzpatrick said: “Sophie completed an energy audit in March which was very insightful. The report recommended replacing our current forklift truck with an electric version. This report was then used to apply for funding which enabled us to qualify for 50% funding towards a new forklift truck.”
Cromford Mills, Derbyshire Dales
As this visitor attraction and educational charity receives no core funding from Government or elsewhere, its greatest challenge has been, and remains, maintaining its very existence. Rising energy costs have had a massive impact and electricity bills have increased four-fold.
It has secured Accelerator support in three key areas: one-to-one sessions with a business adviser, specialised energy consultancy, and training.
Dedicated time spent with the Chamber’s Head of Business Support Services Paul Stuart has enabled the charity to consider what priority actions it needs to take to fulfil its long-term strategic ambitions.
Fully-funded specialist consultancy has also been provided in the form of an energy audit. Environmental experts Loreus have undertaken a detailed analysis of the charity’s energy usage, identifying where the mills might reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint, and presenting their findings as a decarbonisation plan.
Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mills Chief Executive Éilis Scott said: “We greatly appreciate the invaluable support given through the Accelerator project. Specialist advice is helping us address our financial hurdles and review our energy management. Paul’s support has also been fantastic, focusing on finding solutions and making informed decisions.”
Images Costumes, Chesterfield
A designer, manufacturer and retailer of bespoke dancewear and logo uniforms, Images Costumes can make any costume design in any fabric combination for customers throughout the UK and overseas.
Managing Director Michelle Webb is working with Chamber business adviser Peter Lawrence on the Accelerator project to support business growth and future sustainability.
Michelle was referred to the Made Smarter East Midlands digital adaption programme and was successfully awarded an £8,300 grant to purchase a new CAD system, enabling the business to be more competitive and to offer a larger range of designs and sizes. With this advantage, it will safeguard and create new jobs.
The business also hopes to reduce its energy consumption, reduce costs and improve efficiency through a funded energy audit.
Images Costumes Managing Director Michelle Webb said: “The support we received from the advisers on the grant project was key to the success of the funding application. Small businesses like ours don’t have dedicated procurement departments so such expert knowledge and experience was invaluable. In addition, they were able to bring additional areas of support to our attention, such as the energy audit, which we might otherwise have missed. It was exactly what was needed.”
East Midlands Chamber Deputy Chief Executive Diane Beresford said: “We are already seeing the Accelerator’s fully-funded energy audits making a tangible difference to businesses across the county. We all know it makes business sense to reduce energy usage, but every business needs a starting point when it comes to understanding their current usage and before they can consider improving their business operations and practices. An energy audit carried out by an expert shows a business exactly what’s needed to reduce costs and provides the evidence needed to apply for a decarbonisation grant.”
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration Councillor Tony King said: “This investment to support businesses in Derbyshire to be greener and more efficient is most welcome and it’s great to hear how local companies are benefitting.
“The Accelerator Project builds on the success of our own Green Entrepreneurs Fund which supported businesses, organisations communities and individuals interested in developing skills in the green economy and investing in green energy and carbon reduction schemes.
“I’d encourage any local business to consider signing up to the Accelerator Project to help reduce their costs as well as their carbon emissions.”
Businesses interested in signing up for an energy audit or in finding out more about decarbonisation grants available in their area, can do so by selecting their local authority area and completing the Expression of Interest at: www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/accelerator.
