Published on 9th September 2025
Cheltenham Borough Council have launched the CheltenhamZero Business fund totalling £36,655 - offering grants of up to £5,000 per Cheltenham business to support their carbon reduction journey.
Cheltenham Borough Council have launched the CheltenhamZero Business fund totalling £36,655 - offering grants of up to £5,000 per Cheltenham business to support their carbon reduction journey and add a boost to local SME’s seeking to reduce their energy and fuel bills.
Three businesses, Cheltenham Lido, East Glos Club Cheltenham, and The Cotswold Bed Company, have applied for these grants have shared their sustainability journeys, highlighting how the funding from CheltenhamZero has enabled them to accelerate their energy efficiency efforts.
Grants will be awarded for capital projects delivering energy efficiency improvements and carbon reduction. This project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The closing date for applications to the business grants is midnight on the 30th September 2025. For more details, the full application criteria, and how to apply visit the CheltenhamZero website.
Cllr Richard Pineger, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “These case studies are a testament to the incredible achievements people can develop with the Cheltenham Zero business fund.
“Achieving net zero is more essential now than ever before, and we need everyone, especially businesses, to step up and evolve — and we’re proud to be enabling that journey together."
Isobel Filipova, business initiative manager for CheltenhamZero, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to hear about the successes of three separate businesses, all benefiting from our grant. This is exactly why we endeavour to provide grants, and we look forward to helping more businesses than ever achieve their carbon reduction goals.”
- Cheltenham Lido
The Cheltenham Lido, a vital part of Cheltenham's culture and sports scene, was awarded the CheltenhamZero business grant, launching their project in October 2024.
Swimming pools often face financial challenges due to their high energy consumption. The lido, heated daily, requires significant energy, and they have recently transitioned from coal to gas for heating. However, this shift posed difficulties as installing new, energy-efficient equipment involves considering numerous pumps and motors.
They initiated a decarbonisation plan, assessing their existing infrastructure to identify ways to lower carbon emissions. Iconic features, such as the fountain, were also evaluated; it now circulates cooler water in the evenings, to reduce filtration heating and energy costs.
To further enhance sustainability, solar panels were installed on the lido’s carpark, representing a substantial investment. Electric vehicle (EV) chargers were added for convenience, and the solar photovoltaic system now generates 93% of the site's electricity.
They successfully operated this system during the first year and are currently analysing data to maintain low costs, exploring options like air-source heat pumps and minimising reliance on gas pumps.
- East Glos Club Cheltenham
Having been successful in two different CheltenhamZero applications, the East Glos Club Cheltenham received £8,000 in 2022, which they utilised to upgrade their floodlights for the courts. This enhancement brought energy with improved wattage and reduced light spillage for nearby residents. Their goal is to complete this upgrade across all 17 courts, though each conversion requires £10,000.
In 2024, they applied once more and received an additional £6,000, allowing them to extend their energy-efficient lighting to more courts, increasing coverage from 8 to 11. Remarkably, they have halved their energy consumption, reducing it from 56 kilowatt-hours to 28. Funding from CheltenhamZero accelerated the conversion process and advanced their sustainability efforts by incorporating less energy-intensive LED lighting.
Given the courts' high usage - from 8 AM to 10:30 PM daily - this achievement is particularly impressive. The club has established a committee comprised of experts and members, including individuals with backgrounds in heating and boiler systems. They are collaborating with the Growth Hub to further support their sustainability journey alongside their members.
By utilising data from 2023 and an audit conducted by Severn Wye Energy Agency, they are identifying key areas to focus on for reducing carbon emissions with the help of their members and staff. Additionally, they have initiated small changes, such as removing plastic wrappings from food items sold, including teas, coffees, and biscuits.
The club has also begun engaging with local sponsors to support wildlife around the courts, helping to boost bee populations and protect native bird species. They participate in national campaigns like No Mow May for wildlife and National Bike Week, where they collectively saved over 200 miles since July, with participation from more than 140 individuals.
Furthermore, they have installed EV chargers and are exploring opportunities for solar panel installation at the club.
- The Cotswold Bed Company
Another conscious employer who received the CheltenhamZero grant is the Cotswold Bed Company. With a central Cheltenham location which enables cycling to work, therefore being able to employ a local work force, this company takes a holistic approach by prioritising its sustainability journey in conjunction with social value initiatives.
The company doesn’t just stop at cycle parking and EV charge points, they have begun extensive initiatives in recycling; reusing of foam in-house where possible after re-processing, with any that can’t be reprocessed being used in underlay. This is achieved through reverse logistics with the supply company, to guarantee it doesn’t require any extra transport.
Once having a 12% strap rate of fabric, excess fabrics are now being made into tote bags, handbags and cushions and being sold in their factory shop. Using the technique of remanufacturing, rather than companies ordering whole new chairs, the company also re-pads and upholsters furniture saving huge amounts in resources by not making new frames.
The biggest impact the Cotswold Bed Company have had since receiving CheltenhamZero’s grants have been in solar. Recently installed thanks to the CheltenhamZero business grant, they have seen a 75% reduction in grid energy. The have noted that their sustainability credentials have, in estimation, doubled business in the past year.
Their next steps include generating biomass for burnable scrap and using compactors for cardboard.
For media enquiries to Cheltenham Borough Council, contact: email [email protected] telephone 01242 264231.
For enquiries to CheltenhamZero, contact: Isobel Filipova, [email protected] (Monday, Tuesdays & Thursdays)
To find out more visit: Cheltenhamzero.org/ and follow CheltenhamZero on social: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
To see more about the businesses involved, please see their websites: Cheltenham Lido, East Glos Club Cheltenham, The Cotswold Bed Company.
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