Expanding Rugby business going green

An expanding business in Rugby is cleaning up after securing funding to grow and go green.

Commercial cleaning and facilities management business Solutions Services moved to new premises on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate in Glebe Farm Road as part of their growth plans.

But the offices were draughty and there was minimal insulation.

After the expense of moving, director Sarah Parrin contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub for advice on possible grants to make the warehouse more energy efficient.

The Growth Hub put her in touch with Coventry City Council, which runs the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Sarah successfully applied for a £14,588 grant from the programme to add to Solutions Services’ investment of £37,141 to install new roof insulation and double-glazed windows, add skylights and replace every bulb with LED lighting.

Adam Plumb, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, also recommended Sarah should contact Rugby Borough Council about its Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) scheme which was provided by the government to help businesses wanting to accelerate their expansion plans.

Solutions Services received £40,000 to help towards buying a new van, an electric pallet stacker and racking for the warehouse which has led to three new members of staff joining the 33 full-time employees.

Sarah said the last few years had been really difficult, like for many businesses, during the pandemic but the grant support meant she was looking forward with confidence.

“We provide commercial cleaning and facilities management services throughout Coventry and Warwickshire and we moved from our old site in Earl Street in Rugby because we didn’t have a warehouse and we wanted to expand the business into selling specialist cleaning equipment,” she said.

“The building needed improving and the grant from the Green Business Programme means I feel more confident about the running costs of the business, particularly with fuel costs rising.

“Previously, we would have been sat in a draughty, single-glazed office but we now have a more energy-efficient building with skylights which means the lights are switched on less and our green credentials have been improved.

“The funding from Rugby Borough Council has enabled us to expand the business which is massive for us. We can hold more stock so we can grow that side of the business, which is a more stable market. We have also recruited a driver, cleaner and a stores person so it is benefiting the local economy too.”

Adam Plumb, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said diversifying into selling cleaning products would help Solutions Services to expand even further.

He said: “The business has been growing steadily but with its investment alongside the grants from the Green Business Programme and Rugby Borough Council, Solutions Services is in a position to put its expansion plans into action.

“Not only has Solutions Services added to its workforce but the working environment is much greener and more comfortable so this funding has been a win-win.”

Cllr Carolyn Robbins, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for finance, performance, legal and governance, said: “When the council secured nearly £1 million from the Government to support businesses through an extra round of Additional Restrictions Grants, we wanted to target the funding on businesses with ambitious plans for growth, helping to drive the borough’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

“Working with CWLEP Growth Hub, the grants have benefited a wide range of businesses, supporting expansion plans, investment in new equipment, and both safeguarding and creating jobs.

“The support offered to Solutions Services has helped the company to invest, expand and take on new staff, ensuring Sarah and the team can look to the future with renewed confidence.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m always pleased to hear about businesses becoming greener and more sustainable in how they operate. In this case, the building is running in a more energy efficient way, which is great news for the environment but also for the business with the rising costs of energy.

“We work closely with organisations and businesses to help them access the support they need, whether that’s help recovering following the COVID-19 pandemic, support in adopting greener practises, accessing grant funding or even businesses expanding into new premises, so I encourage businesses to get in touch to find out what help is available.”