How Excel Martial Arts saves £5,000 yearly with Business Sheffield’s Low Carbon Grant

At Business Sheffield, we’re committed to helping local organisations become more efficient, sustainable and resilient. Through our Low Carbon Grant, we support Sheffield businesses to lower their energy use, reduce running costs and reinvest their savings where it matters most.

One of the businesses to benefit is Excel Martial Arts, a Sheffield-based community interest company led by Liam Richards. The organisation helps children and adults build confidence, focus and resilience through martial arts, supporting hundreds of people each year to lead stronger, happier and healthier lives.

As the business expanded, rising energy prices and larger facilities created increasing financial pressure. Managing overheads became more difficult, especially with the cost of electricity continuing to rise.

"When we moved into our new building, the increase in overheads and utilities really hit us,” explains Liam. “It put a lot of stress on the business, especially as we’re a community interest company that reinvests everything back into helping people.”

With support from Business Sheffield’s Low Carbon Grant, Excel Martial Arts installed solar panels to make their facility more energy efficient and reduce electricity costs.

“The funding from Business Sheffield helped us install solar panels, which are saving us around £5,000 a year on electricity,” says Liam. “Our investment will pay for itself within four years, and after that, we’ll continue saving money that can be reinvested into the business and our community.”

These savings have made a real difference, allowing Excel Martial Arts to strengthen its team, enhance facilities and reach more people across Sheffield.

“As a CIC, every pound saved helps us reinvest in ways that make a real difference,” Liam adds. “The Low Carbon Grant has allowed us to focus more resources on inspiring people to grow in confidence, health and happiness.”

The Low Carbon Grant is still open and available to Sheffield businesses looking to reduce energy costs. The grant can be used to install solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, heating systems and more. Businesses will also receive a free energy survey and dedicated support from a Low Carbon Advisor to identify the best improvements for their premises.

To find out more, contact lowcarbonproject@sheffield.gov.uk.