Basingstoke and Deane's Green Team offers any business in the borough a free one-hour review and report on cutting bills and carbon. Over 40 have had one.

Businesses in Basingstoke and Deane can have a free one-hour review from the borough council’s Green Team, ending in a written report on how to cut their bills and their carbon at the same time.

The council is promoting the service ahead of Basingstoke Business Week, which runs from Monday 9 to Friday 13 November. It says more than 40 businesses across the borough have had a review so far.

What the review involves

According to the council’s announcement on 3 November, the review starts with a conversation about the business, held either at the premises or over the phone. At the end the business gets a free report with recommendations for going greener while saving money, plus details of networking groups and grants that suit it.

The council’s green business review page adds some detail. It says the review should take around an hour and can be done by the business on its own or with a specialist from the Green Team. The page says the review can help a business understand how to:

  • reduce its bills and carbon footprint
  • work within environmental regulations that may affect it
  • avoid the damage to its reputation, and the outages, that extreme weather can cause
  • show its green credentials to attract and keep customers

The grants it points to can pay for specific work, the page says, such as installing electric vehicle chargers or making buildings more energy efficient. Businesses that have had a review can then get free help from the Green Team to set up and commit to a green plan.

Why the council is pushing it

Cllr Chris Tomblin, the council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency, said the service was designed for firms without the time to do the work themselves.

“We recognised that many small businesses want to make progress but can’t dedicate time or resources to sustainability,” he said. “Our Green Team makes things easier by doing the research for them and identifying practical actions tailored to their business.

“Whether sustainability is something they’ve been meaning to look at for a while, or they’re simply curious about what opportunities exist, I encourage all businesses in the borough to take advantage of this great initiative and do their part to make Basingstoke and Deane a more sustainable borough.”

Basingstoke Business Week is organised by the borough’s businesses with other civic and community organisations, the council said, and showcases local firms with chances for networking, learning and growth.

What it means for you

  • Who can apply: any business in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane.
  • What it costs: nothing. The review, the report and the follow-up help with a green plan are all free.
  • How long it takes: about an hour, in person or by phone.
  • What you get: a written report with recommendations, plus pointers to grants and networking groups that fit your business.
  • How to book: request a review on the council’s green business review page.