A furniture restoration and manufacturing company is making savings in the region of £35,000 annually and reducing its carbon footprint thanks to a county council programme.

Stafford-based Taylor’s Classics Furniture signed up to the Green Solutions programme, run by the county council’s Staffordshire Business and Environment Network (Sben) – offering grant allocations of up to £100,000 to cover half of the cost of introducing energy-saving measures.

The business designs, restores and manufactures furniture predominantly for the hospitality sector. It has a factory, office and showroom which has been modified with programme backing, which has included installation of solar panels to reduce energy consumption from the national grid.

Richard Forrester, warehouse and sustainability manager, said: “Around two years ago during the energy crisis that we started to look at being more energy efficient as a business. We’ve reduced our energy consumption and powered up through the Green Solutions grant scheme.

“The programme team provided us with free energy assessments and through the grant we installed solar panels to help reduce our demand from the grid and become more self-sustainable as a business. We’re saving in the region of £35,000 a year, meaning we can invest again in our journey to be net zero.

“Any business wanting to get started on their sustainable and energy efficient journey should get in touch with Sben. The team has been fantastic, with lots of free tools available – free energy assessment, and carbon tracker tool. There’s also grant funding available. It’s been hugely beneficial to us as a business in reducing our carbon emissions and also saving a substantial amount of money.”

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The Green Solutions scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for businesses to make essential improvements to their operations that will support their growth, increase productivity and reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.

“It’s great to see it making a difference to Taylor’s Classics Furniture – an established business with a national customer base. It is a fundamental part of a business’s evolution that their operations become more sustainable, whether through improvements to their premises or production methods.

“It is a county council priority to support our businesses and tackle climate change and we’re sure this programme will help to deliver those commitments. It is essential that businesses get in touch now as there is a deadline for project completion.”

This initiative is managed by Staffordshire County Council and is made possible through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and in partnership with the Business Energy Advice Service, funded by the Department for Energy Security and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.