Fast-growing brewery among hundreds of businesses getting help to be more energy efficient

Birmingham-based craft beer maker Attic Brew Co is one of more than 2,000 businesses being backed by a multi-million-pound scheme helping firms cut their energy usage and fuel bills.

Run by friends Sam Back and Oli Hurlow - Attic Brew Co has been given a net zero grant to help buy new energy efficient beer making equipment as well as a super-efficient boiler, double glazing and lighting for its Stirchley-based brewery.

The new equipment will cut the brewery’s carbon emissions by 65 tonnes a year - the same amount of carbon produced by three family cars over their entire lifetimes on the road – and slash fuel bills by £30,000 a year at current prices.

The energy efficiency scheme is run by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), through Business Growth West Midlands, and funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).

Attic Brew Co has grown rapidly since starting life just six years ago in the attic of managing director Sam.

It now has an annual turnover of £2.2 million and employs 40 people at its multi-award-winning brewery and tap room in Stirchley, and at its Barrel Store in Birmingham city centre. The company also supplies Waitrose and CrossCountry trains as well as pubs and other retailers.

But like many businesses, high energy costs have been threatening to slow down their ambitious plans to continue growing and be more sustainable.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker visited the brewery to toast the success of the business and hear how it will be boosted by becoming more energy efficient.

Sam said: “Our bills had gone up by 50 per cent which is a massive amount for us and it was set to start eroding our margins. We’re a very energy intensive business and currently spend around 10 per cent of our production costs on fuel.

“The support we’ve had means we've been able to reduce equipment running costs, the level of heating we need and the co2 we produce. It has also unlocked additional support to help find future avenues for improvement.

“Without this help it’s likely we’d have had to scale down our plans to maintain the fantastic growth we’ve seen since we began brewing commercially in 2018.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Stirchley has changed so much over the years, and Attic Brewery is a great example of that. It’s amazing to see how this brewery has grown into such a hub for the community. And it’s businesses like this one that I am delighted to be supporting with grants that will help them grow.

“During my visit, Sam and Oli showed me how this investment in energy-saving technology will help them cut costs, reduce carbon emissions, and continue their ambitions for sustainable growth. Local breweries like Attic Brew Co are an important part of our communities, creating jobs and offering spaces where people can come together. I’m backing our breweries and would encourage residents to do the same.”

According to CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – there are 42 independent breweries in the West Midlands. The consumer group has called for more support to help pubs and breweries deal with high energy bills.

West Midlands CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “Breweries, along with the pubs that they serve, are battling to stay afloat against a horrendous tide of financial challenges, including spiralling cost of goods and high energy bills, and a restricted access to market.

“With many independent breweries not being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, WMCA’s funding comes at an ideal time for a brewery like Attic Brew Co. 

“They are integral parts of local economies and provide greater choice to consumers in a space dominated by giant international breweries who often have a stranglehold over draught beer served in pubs and bars.”

The West Midlands has a higher proportion of energy exposed businesses than any other UK region which is why tailored support to help firms be more energy efficient is a key element of the WMCA’s work to boost resilience and productivity.

It will also help the West Midlands achieve its #WM2041 ambition of becoming a net zero region within the next two decades.

All SMEs - from businesses in the everyday economy such as coffee shops and hairdressers to manufacturing firms - can apply for a free energy audit.

Eligible businesses will then have the opportunity to access up to £100,000 of match funding to implement recommended measures that can reduce their energy demand.

This could include supporting investment in new machinery and equipment, improved manufacturing processes, or LED lighting and insulation.

Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS)

The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) and Net Zero Decarbonisation Scheme are among a range of support programmes for SMEs that can be accessed for free through Business Growth West Midlands, the business advice service set up by the WMCA.

Find out more about The Business Energy Advice Service