Business Retreat Boutique ready to reduce costs after receiving eco grant boost

16th March 2023

An eco grant will help an Oakengates business cafe cut down on its water usage and install more energy efficient appliances.

Business Retreat Boutique on Market Street is using the Pride in Our High Street funding to buy a series of items to save money during the current energy crisis.

The popular café and business meeting venue is investing in a new state-of-the-art dishwasher, which was previously inefficient, to reduce the amount of power usage. 

Business Retreat Boutique previously used a traditional kettle to boil water for each drink ordered meaning the kettle was on the boil regularly, but is now purchasing energy efficient insulated kettles which will save time and money.

The kettles will keep water hot for several hours as the kettles run at 1.5kw, which is a lower usage than the previous model they were using.

In addition, the eco grant will also help co-owners Sarah and Daniel Williams to buy a new under sink hot water heater.

Sarah, who is a member of Oakengates chamber of trade, and Daniel are delighted with the eco grant funding which they feel will make a big difference to their energy costs.

Daniel said: “We’re really pleased with the eco grant which will help us to reduce costs in the café and become more eco-friendly at the same time.

“The cost of energy is affecting all businesses currently but after successfully applying for the eco grant we’re going to be introducing energy efficiency measures which are making a big difference.

“We’re grateful for this financial support as without the funding we may not have considered purchasing them.”

The eco grant is one of a number of grants available to high street businesses through the Pride in Our High Street programme and was repackaged to offer greater support during the cost of living crisis.

The funding aims to help high street businesses during these challenging times and is split into two grants which can both help businesses to save money.

The first fund will support businesses to acquire energy saving products, helping them to reduce their workplace overheads.

Grants of up to £1,500 will help businesses purchase energy saving products from a list of local suppliers that have been checked for ‘best value’.   

The second fund will provide grants of up to £5,000 towards the cost of ceiling or wall insulation to the applicants’ business premises which will keep energy costs down

Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhood services, regeneration and the high street, said: “With current energy prices, these new items which will be purchased with the eco grant will save the business money and are also better for the environment.

“We are committed to supporting local businesses through the cost of living and energy crisis and it’s great to see businesses like Business Retreat Boutique reap the rewards of this funding and reduce their costs by adopting a more sustainable approach to the way they run the business.” 

Oakengates ward councillors Steve Reynolds, Gilly Latham-Reynolds and Hilda Rhodes, said: “It’s great to see Business Retreat Boutique benefit from this eco grant.

“This grant is just one of the ways businesses in Oakengates are being supported through the Pride in Our High Street programme - helping them through challenging financial times and to become more eco friendly at the same time.”

You can find out more about eco grants and funding support for high street businesses through the Pride in Our High Street programme here.