Nov 22, 2023
Make it Net Zero Torbay is a free support programme designed to help local businesses with reducing their carbon emissions and saving money on their energy bills.
Participating businesses will benefit from a bespoke package of support to help them assess their current carbon impact, identify bespoke actions to reduce their impacts and hopefully save money. A decarbonisation plan for making it all happen will also be produced, making it as easy as possible for the business to deliver it.
Participating businesses also have the potential of being awarded grant funding to support their decarbonisation plans and introduce energy saving measures. For example, a company could receive a grant to install energy efficient lighting or part fund a new heat pump.
Your decarbonisation journey
Participating businesses will follow four simple steps on their decarbonisation journey with Make it Net Zero Torbay…
Step 1: Review your starting point
Explore the carbon impact of your existing business processes.
Step 2: Understand your current benchmark position
Gather current emissions data to generate a baseline report which will provide a benchmark for improvement.
Step 3: Prioritise actions for effective carbon reduction
Identify the areas of focus that will result in the most significant carbon (and cost) reductions to prioritise and implement immediate improvements.
Step 4: Ongoing Progress
Develop a bespoke decarbonisation plan and timeline to help your business work towards, and achieve, its net zero goals.
Take part
Businesses of all sectors and sizes from across Torbay are encouraged to take part. To book your free place, complete a short online form here.
Nov 8, 2023
Our next Open Meeting is at the Berry Head Hotel on Tuesday 21st November at 7pm. It is themed around the Environment and Sustainability and we have a number of exceptional and inspiring speakers lined up for the evening.
- How do seals mate?
- How many discarded bags of dog poo can you pick up in a year?
- Why is Berry Head so important for Greater Horseshoe bats, migrating birds, and rare flowers?
- How can my business reduce its carbon footprint?
For the answer to these questions and more, come and join us!
Local naturalist Duncan Kenny has just returned from an eight-week project researching seal pup mortality on a remote island in the Irish sea. Duncan says “I will be illustrating the beautiful wild lives I observed and some of the successes and the challenges both the seals and I faced”. His research informs us about our local marine habitats, and the seals in Brixham, which he knows well from his wild swimming and involvement with the Seal Project.
Hannah Beaumont is a local hero! You may know her from her Facebook pseudonym Me and the Plastic Sea, where for some years she has been cataloguing the piles of litter (and bags of poo) she has collected from our local coastline. On November 17th Hannah is setting off on her latest litter picking marathon, 26.4 miles of coastline from Brixham to Kingswear, Galmpton, over to Goodrington, and back home. She’ll be talking about her relentless litter picking and how we can all help to look after our coast.
Mike Langman is one of the country’s most knowledgeable bird enthusiasts and illustrators. Since 2015 he has been coordinating a determined group of volunteers to protect and enhance the wonderful natural environment at Clennon Lakes, one of Torbay’s most important (and previously neglected) wildlife sites. This is a great local example of how, with determination, we can protect and enhance our beautiful spaces and give nature a fighting chance.
How exactly should we go about reducing our carbon footprint? There is currently an initiative for businesses to get free consultancy advice on this topic, from the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service. Phil Halse will be joining us to talk through some examples from recent business sessions he has run in this area, and how we can take advantage of this help for our own businesses (hint: they have a free event in Brixham on 7th December).
Our Chamber meetings are open to all – non-members are welcome. Please let us know you’ll be coming, at hospitality@brixhamcham
Oct 28, 2023
Round 2 closed on the 1st August and the judges made Awards to the following organisations in Brixham:
Round 2
- Brixham Theatre – £2,000. Equipment for National Theatre performances
- Play Torbay – £2,100. Forest school sessions for local home schooled children
Three Awards were made in Round 1 which closed on 6th June:
Round 1
- Youth Enquiry Service Brixham – £1,765. Renovation of their building on Bolton Street
- Friends of Shoalstone Pool – £1,765. Maintenance of the Victorian shelters
- Brixham Heritage Museum – £1,470. School holiday activities for children
So far £9,100 has been donated to projects in Brixham, with £5,900 remaining for the final funding round which closed on 24th October. Entries are now being prepared for the judging panel.
The awards will culminate in a Gala Ball on the evening of November 17 at the Berry Head Hotel in Brixham. Tickets can be purchased for £36 and includes a delicious three-course meal, live entertainment from Chris Thomas and band; and a chance to celebrate the Centenary Awards winners. Tickets can be purchased from here: https://www.brixhamchamber.co.uk/centenary-awards-gala-dinner/
Oct 27, 2023
What is face to face support?
Sometimes you need someone you can trust to talk to. In business, having a personal advisor can make a huge difference, especially if you’re just starting out. Our Business Advisors are here to offer you that personal support through face to face meetings.
How does it benefit me?
Face to face meetings with a Business Advisor can:
- Clarify your business plan
- Give you reassurance and support
- Provide practical advice
- Provide advice on financing and development
- Gives you access to valuable business contacts and knowledge.
Face to face support is applicable for both start ups and developing businesses. For start ups, it can help you to set realistic and achievable targets. It can also help you source funding, or even find a location to set up your business.
For growing businesses, face to face support can help you to create a growth plan that will move your business forward.
Sessions available on 9th Nov, 28th Nov and 7th Dec.
