Council grants of up to £5,000 could be available to Ealing’s small and medium sized businesses in a bid to help them become more energy efficient.

Through Ealing Council’s smart business grant, small businesses can get both advice and funding to help reduce costs, increase efficiency and be greener.

It all starts with a free survey designed help identify ways to reduce the business costs of things like heating, water and waste by making efficiency measures and smarter procurement choices.

All types of small businesses can apply and benefit from the smart business grant. So far business as diverse as staircase manufacturers and fish and chip shops have successfully applied. The council has identified that businesses operating in retail, wholesale, manufacturing, distribution and hospitality have potentially the most to benefit from the grant.

Once a series of efficiency measures have been identified, a support package of up to 50% of project costs may be made available, with the remainder match-funded by the business. The minimum grant awarded will be £1,000 and the maximum £5,000. The money is typically used to fund heating, equipment and machinery upgrades, or improvements to fabric, insulation or lighting. These measures can lead to significant cost savings for small business as well as making them more environmentally friendly.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: "By reducing their energy consumption businesses are not only reducing their costs, they’re reducing their impact on the environment. That’s good for their reputation and it’s good for our borough, making it cleaner and healthier place for us all to live and work."

Small business owners interested in Ealing Council’s smart business grant can check their eligibility and find out more about the scheme by emailing businessenergy@ealing.gov.uk