Birmingham-based craft brewery Attic Brew Co has been awarded a net zero grant to fund new energy-efficient equipment, significantly reducing its carbon emissions and fuel costs. The grant is part of a multi-million-pound energy efficiency scheme aimed at helping over 2,000 businesses cut energy consumption and lower fuel bills.
Attic Brew Co, located in Stirchley, will use the grant to purchase new energy-efficient beer-making equipment, including a super-efficient boiler, double glazing, and lighting. This upgrade will reduce the brewery’s carbon emissions by 65 tonnes annually—equivalent to the lifetime emissions of three family cars—and save the company £30,000 in fuel costs each year.
The energy efficiency scheme is run by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) through Business Growth West Midlands and is funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).
Founded just six years ago by Sam Back and Oli Hurlow, Attic Brew Co has quickly expanded, achieving an annual turnover of £2.2 million and employing 40 people at its award-winning brewery and tap room in Stirchley. The company also supplies products to major retailers like Waitrose and CrossCountry trains. However, rising energy costs were threatening to slow its growth ambitions.
“Our bills had gone up by 50 percent, which was becoming a huge strain,” said Sam Back, managing director of Attic Brew Co. “As an energy-intensive business, we were spending around 10 percent of our production costs on fuel. Thanks to this support, we’ve been able to lower our energy usage, reduce heating needs, and cut carbon emissions while ensuring our growth continues.”
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker visited Attic Brew Co to celebrate the brewery’s success and the positive impact of energy-saving technology. “Attic Brew Co is a great example of how local businesses can thrive with the right support,” said Mayor Parker. “This investment in energy efficiency will not only reduce costs and carbon emissions but will also help the brewery continue its sustainable growth.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is working to support local businesses as part of its efforts to achieve the #WM2041 ambition of making the region net zero by 2041. Tailored support is available to help businesses implement energy-efficient measures, with up to £100,000 of match funding available for eligible firms.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) highlighted the challenges facing local breweries, urging for continued support to combat high energy bills. “Independent breweries are integral to local economies and offer more consumer choice in a market dominated by larger companies,” said West Midlands CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins.
As part of the WMCA’s strategy to increase resilience and productivity, the region’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can apply for free energy audits and access funding for energy-saving measures. This initiative aims to help businesses reduce energy demand and contribute to the region’s net zero goal.
For more information on support programs, including the Business Energy Advice Service and the Net Zero Decarbonisation Scheme, businesses can contact Business Growth West Midlands.
