£2.3 million to help Sheffield cultural and community venues reduce their carbon footprint

Investment will help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions

Cultural and community buildings in Sheffield will benefit from a £2.3 million investment to help reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions, improving resilience and protecting jobs.

Running until March 2025, the project will support public venues, which are home to cultural organisations, including museums, galleries and showrooms, as well as buildings used by the local community.

They’ll be given new opportunities to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint, with the project set to support 140 organisations in total.

They’ll benefit from a free energy survey to identify potential energy saving improvements such as low-energy lighting systems or insulation. Delivered by Sheffield City Council, the project is part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Grants are also available to help organisations invest in solutions to reduce their energy consumption and costs, helping them to become more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly.

As part of the package of support available, organisations will receive one-to-one advice and support throughout the process.

Karen Sherwood is the founder and owner of Cupola Contemporary Art in Sheffield. She benefited from funding to help her save on energy costs, in particular heating and lighting. She was supported to lower ceilings, install insulation and motion sensor lighting, and upgrade the boiler. This helped Karen reduce her energy usage, improve the customer experience and demonstrate commitment to reducing her carbon footprint.

Karen said: “The Low Carbon Advisor was personable, honest and responsive to my questions. I felt I was talking to somebody who understood what I might not know. They did what they said they were going to do when they said they were going to do it. Without support and match funding, I wouldn’t have been able to implement the same programme of improvements.”

Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee said: “We know many businesses and organisations want to reduce energy costs and do their bit for the planet.

“Buildings like community centres, theatres and museums may face particular challenges, as they are often large and complex buildings and can be occupied by many different organisations.

“This project brings together the support of specialist advisors to help organisations identify effective changes, with grants to bring those changes into action. It will give organisations the confidence and support they need to make sustainable changes, something that is crucial if we are to look after our planet and let our business and communities thrive.”

The project is open for enquiries. To find out more, including whether your business is eligible for support, please email SCCAProject@sheffield.gov.uk