Carbon Reduction Support Takes Thompsons Beyond Solar
“They understand the commercial, practical reality we and every business faces.” Thompsons’ Lucy Boulton explains why business support from the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy has been a catalyst for positive change.
Thompsons Solar Installations is part of Thompsons Contracts, the Red Rose Award-winning business which, for almost 20 years, has been growing from its Blackpool base on Clifton Road. A family of complementary businesses comprising the original shopfitting and building contracts service, together with later service additions including bespoke manufacturing, electrical installation and solar, the group’s expanded capabilities have led it to work with a client base that includes M&S, Starbucks, Savoy, Malmaison and Gordon Ramsay.
For any business in the construction sector, sustainability is a commercial imperative and part of every tendering exercise. But for Thompsons, with its own solar division, it was something more.
The foundations of decarbonisation
“I and the Solar Director come from 30 years combined experience of working in renewables,” explains Solar Manager Lucy Boulton. “As a distinct entity within the wider business we’re only two years old, but from the outset part of our mission was to help turn our enthusiasm for and experience of sustainability inwards and explore how we could support the organisation – and our customers – in reducing their carbon footprint and building their sustainability credentials.”
When Lucy connected with Caitlin Sanderson of the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy at a local event, she saw an opportunity to do just that.
“We installed solar photovoltaics when Thompsons Solar first launched, but we knew that there was lots more we could be doing. I asked Caitlin to complete an assessment for us and that became the bedrock of our decarbonisation plan.”
“The report Caitlin produced for us gave us the robust facts and figures we needed to be able to present evidence-based options to the leadership team. We already had some proposals in place – Caitlin suggested more – but the report helped us understand the viability of the options, so we had a clear picture of ROI, payback time and carbon savings for each one. It was a really valuable tool for informing management discussion.”
Cutting carbon, cutting costs
The first project completed was the installation of PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors in communal areas of the Thompsons building. Each year, this single improvement is set to save 1,739kWh of energy, reduce the business’ energy bill by £552, and save 478kg of carbon.
Partners in carbon reduction
Such has been the positivity around the collaboration, that Thompsons Solar is now one of the academy’s supplier partners.
“We see real benefit in working together to support customers,” says Lucy. “Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy is highly skilled in carbon calculation and wider carbon reduction strategies. We specialise not just in the installation of solar but everything that surrounds that. For example, not every roof is suitable for every solar array – so we help businesses adopt solar in practical, effective ways.”
Wider impact
Lucy sees a wider impact of the business’ focus on sustainability. “I think it’s made people think a little bit more. The recycling bins are a little fuller since we started this process. You’ll find lights in other parts of the business are more likely to be switched off when not needed. Less equipment is left on standby.”
“It’s been a definite catalyst for making small, personal changes. And it has focused the attention of the leadership team who, having approved the installation of motion sensors, are looking ahead to the next initiative.”
Proving the benefits
“I think Blackpool Net Zero Academy is a fantastic opportunity to get free advice from very knowledgeable professionals about the steps you can take to reduce carbon,” says Lucy. “Many of those are low and no-cost options, which was a pleasant surprise. Caitlin and the team look at the little things. They dig into the detail. They get to know your business and their recommendations make sense.”
“I have to be honest and say I perhaps wasn’t expecting the final report to have such depth and rigour – it’s free after all. But I was really impressed.”
“They understand the commercial, practical reality we and every business faces. And they understand that, whilst we genuinely believe in this stuff, carbon reduction has to sit alongside other business priorities. So if we’re going to make improvements, we have to be able to make the case to the senior leadership team. The academy helped us do that.”
Driven by Blackpool Council, supported by Blackpool’s Business Growth initiative and with funded support from the UK Government through the Lancashire Combined County Authority, get help to decarbonise your business with Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy.
