A family-run attraction in South Staffordshire has halved its electricity bills after installing solar panels with support from a county council support programme.

Now other local businesses are being urged to take advantage of the same funding from the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) while it’s still available.

Lower Drayton Farm, home to the popular indoor playbarn PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge, received a free on-site energy assessment through the county council’s BEAS scheme. The assessment, delivered by independent specialists Pro Enviro Ltd, identified opportunities to cut energy use and costs – recommending solar panels as the best next step.

With a £20,000 grant from South Staffordshire Council and a £20,000 interest-free loan from Staffordshire County Council through BEAS, the farm invested £40,000 in solar technology which now powers the playbarn’s operations, including the café, air conditioning and entertainment systems.

WATCH: Richard explains for BEAS supported his business.

The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) is funded by the UK Government and delivered locally by Staffordshire County Council. The scheme offers free energy assessments, 50 per cent match-funded grants of up to £100,000, and interest-free energy efficiency loans to help Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent SMEs cut energy costs and improve efficiency.

With an additional £1million of funding for Staffordshire businesses recently announced, businesses in the county are urged to act now, and can arrange for the free energy assessment worth £1,100 as well as start the process to access the grant funding at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/BEAS.