Two Thurrock businesses have scooped £10,000 each to help them reduce their carbon footprint.

Through the Low Carbon Across the South East (LoCASE) project operated by Thurrock Council, Spectrum Vehicle Repairers Group were awarded £10,000 for two of their businesses to help them become more energy efficient.

LoCASE helps businesses to save money on energy as well as support the low carbon goods and services sector – and has granted almost £2.5million to businesses since February 2016.

Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Councillor Mark Coxshall, said: “I’m so pleased Thurrock businesses are accessing this funding available to them.

“Through the support this project provides, businesses can make longer-term savings after becoming more energy efficient, and it was a pleasure to visit a local firm and see how the grant can, and will, make a difference.”

Company Finance Director, Mark McAspurn, testified to the excellence of the project: “The process with LoCASE was very smooth, the application was also made easier with their ability to quickly understand our industry, business & project.

“They assisted in my calculations for the savings in our CO2 emissions and electricity which also assisted greatly in our application. The investment we have made with LoCASE’s help, has greatly improved our business both operationally, financially and environmentally.”

Other Thurrock businesses benefitting from the LoCASE Project include: Little J’s Nursery, Grays, E. Christian & Co. Ltd, Grays, and Bannister Combined Storage, Tilbury.

The LOCASE project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and aims to support SMEs across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) region, to lower their carbon emissions and improve their energy efficiency, through targeted business support and grants.

It is a partnership project between Thurrock Council, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Kent County Council, East Sussex County Council, Essex County Council and the University of Brighton.

For more information, visit: thurrock.gov.uk/LoCASE