Scotland’s convenience stores to benefit from new resource efficiency funding

Scotland’s convenience store sector is set to benefit from a £100,000 energy efficiency boost thanks to the announcement of new Scottish Government funding.

The Convenience Store Resource Efficiency Grant – managed by Zero Waste Scotland – will allow independent convenience store retailers to apply for a grant of up to £5,000. With the funds to purchase equipment such as double-glazed refrigeration doors and LED lighting, retailers will be able to reduce their energy costs and cut carbon emissions.

Speaking at today’s Scottish Grocers’ Federation conference at the Royal Bank of Scotland Conference Centre in Edinburgh, Chief Executive Pete Cheema, said: “This major investment in our sector is the result of a highly effective partnership between the Scottish Grocers’ Federation and Zero Waste Scotland. The funds will help convenience store retailers to lead the way in terms of increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. I would urge all SGF members to make the most of this fantastic opportunity as a means of taking another step towards helping Scotland to become an environmentally sustainable society.”

Resource Efficient Scotland – a programme funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Zero Waste Scotland – will form a key part of the new grant process through the expert guidance it already provides to businesses, including members of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, to help them use resources more efficiently.

Louise McGregor, Head of Circular Economy at Zero Waste Scotland, delivered a conference speech highlighting the many ways that Resource Efficient Scotland can provide support to businesses and retailers in particular. She said: “Convenience stores are at the heart of communities throughout the country and so their sustainability, in all senses, is of crucial importance. Improving resource efficiency has a considerable impact on a business’s bottom line – and convenience stores typically spend between £10,000 and £20,000 per year on their energy costs.

“By installing resource efficiency measures such as double-glazed refrigerators, LED lighting and controls and heat recovery systems, stores could save between 5% and 35% of their annual costs,  depending on the individual circumstances of the store.

“The Convenience Store Resource Efficiency Grant is therefore a fantastic addition to a host of advice and information that Resource Efficient Scotland already has on offer to businesses – small and large. All the details can be found on the Resource Efficient Scotland website.”