Two more firms in the Brentwood area are the latest businesses to receive ‘Green Grants’ totalling over £8,000 from the hugely successful Low Carbon Business programme.

Little Piggies cafe in Childerditch received £1,000 towards a new energy efficient freezer, whilst Schwartz printing in Hutton received £7,127.40 towards energy-efficient lighting and double glazing.

Taken over in 2011, the cafe on Childerditch industrial estate desperately needed to replace the inherited ancient and environmentally harmful freezer with an up-to-date model.

The £1,000 grant allowed the firm to do this, saving energy, reducing harmful gases and cutting running costs!

Established in 1995 Schwartz Printing is a long-term inhabitant on Hutton industrial estate.

As part of an office upgrade the printers wanted to install more energy-efficient lighting and double-glazing.

On top of this the firm was looking to rebuild its compressor room. 30% Grant funding allowed the firm to implement these improvements sooner rather than later, encouraging them to prioritise the ‘eco-upgrade’.

Low Carbon Business Communications Officer, Seb Coombs said: “Although funding is now at an end, it’s great to see such positive results coming from the projects we issued grants toward in the Brentwood area!

"I encourage businesses to contact the team at Low Carbon Business for free business efficiency advice as well as further support, such as fully funded business websites!”

Councillor David Kendall, Brentwood Borough Council’s Chair of the Business and Town Centre Committee, added: “I’m pleased to see more businesses in our Borough benefit from this worthwhile scheme.

"It is often the case to save money long term, you need to spend a bit of money in the short term.

"Grants like this are brilliant for giving a bit of extra help to fund equipment that not only saves money - but energy too.

"I would also encourage more of our businesses to get in touch with Low Carbon Business to see if they can help your company”.

In total the two projects are set to:

• Reduce CO2 emissions by 11 tonnes per annum.

• Reduce the overhead running costs by over £2,000.

Visit the programme's website www.lowcarbonbusiness.org.uk to find out more information on free business support.