MEMBERS UPDATE – 3rd NOVEMBER 2023

SME Loan Scheme

Loans up to £100k are available to help you pay for energy and carbon-saving upgrades in your business. You could also receive a cashback grant of up to £30k.

What can it be used for?
An SME loan can be used to finance the installation of energy efficient systems, equipment or building fabric, including:

• heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades.
• renewable heat technologies such as installing an air source heat pump.
• improving insulation, draught-proofing, double or secondary glazing,
• installing LED lighting.
• installing solar thermal systems, wind turbines and biomass boilers.
Please note, due to the very high number of applications for solar PV projects, the Scottish Government's SME Loan Scheme is not currently accepting new applications for solar PV projects.

Link below.

https://businessenergyscotland.org/smeloan/

We received the following information about this scheme from one of our members:-

At the beginning of 2023, we sent a template letter provided by Scottish Craft Butchers to our MP and MSP regarding high electricity prices.

After we met with our MSP, they equipped us with information regarding the SME Loan Scheme which is a 75% grant and a 25% interest free loan which is funded by the Scottish Government and is accessible through Business Energy Scotland. The whole point of the scheme is to reduce your carbon footprint and to make your premises more efficient which in turn is better for the environment and reduces your electricity bill.

An energy efficiency assessment must be carried out initially to assess what is applicable to be replaced with anything over 5 years old being able to qualify. At this stage, apply for absolutely everything that could fit that criteria: display counters, freestanding fridges, lighting, windows, doors, all hardware relating to walk-in fridges / freezers, boilers / immersion heaters, chiller door seals, ovens, hobs or anything else that uses power. Do not be afraid to ask about upgrading all of your equipment, we held back slightly as we didn't want to take advantage but in hindsight, we wish we applied for more and replaced everything that we could've.

Once your assessment has been approved, you then go through the process of getting your equipment upgraded and funding paid – this step is by far the most challenging as it feels like you're constantly replying to emails, doing paperwork or generally chasing your tail.

Our application has been ongoing for over 10 months and has had setbacks or been at a standstill plenty of times but it has been absolutely worth the trouble. We replaced our display cabinets, lighting, seals, immersion heater and motors which has reduced our electricity bill by 31% / £367 between September and October 2023.

To conclude, it is definitely worth applying for the SME Loan Scheme but patience is very much required as it is such a long and slow process.

Welcome to our new Corporate Member

Savernake Knives
Address :-
The Sawmill
Warren Farm
Savernake
Marlborough
SN8 3BQ
www.savernakeknives.co.uk
Email [email protected]
Contact: Laurie Timpson

Mob: 0771 432 9948
Tel: 01672 870 120

Taking Stock – the Scottish Venison Summit 2023

Supported by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG)

10.00 – 16.30hrs, Monday 20 November 2023,
At Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Birnam, Perthshire

This is the Scottish Venison event of the year – if you are involved in Scottish Venison, if
you're a producer or you process venison, stock it, sell it or serve it then this event is
important to you.

Or if you're interested and want to find out more.

Scottish Venison, the body that represents the 'brand', its production and processing – wild.and farmed, public and private sector, upland and lowland, will be hosting representatives from right across the Scottish venison industry for one day at Birnam, Perthshire.

We will be telling those who attend about Scottish venison's attributes and ambitions, its
direction and recent developments, its importance as a sustainable food, its role in
supporting delivery of the Scottish Government's climate change and biodiversity targets,
and its place as an asset in Scotland's rich, natural larder.

We have drawn together a wide-ranging programme including the launch of a refreshed
Scottish Venison strategy, the Government funded JF Consulting report on capacity and
infrastructure, and the latest assessment from SAC Consulting on greenhouse gas
emissions from the wild deer/venison processing sector. Afternoon sessions will cover
challenges and opportunities facing the processors, new initiatives, serving the 'third sector'
and a call for everyone to get involved and spread the word.

The event is free. A soup and sandwich lunch is included.

You can register to attend now by contacting [email protected] and your place will
be reserved. You will then be notified when the programme for the day is published later in
October.

Scottish Venison acknowledges the generous support of the Association of Deer
Management Groups (ADMG) in the staging of this event.

AGM- Scottish Craft Butchers

Annual General Meeting and Craft Skills Scotland Training Awards

22 November 2023 – The Landmark Hotel, Dundee – 11.00am to 4.00pm

Gordon King: [email protected]     07917524313

Bruce McCall: [email protected]     07834490922

The Scottish Craft Butchers office in Perth is staffed every weekday.
We will be available to our members to answer any queries via email or by mobile phone
and will be available out of office hours for any members wanting to contact us.