More than 600 small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality trade are signing up to a new trial aimed at trimming energy bills and cutting carbon. Backed by £350,000 of UK Government funding, the programme will run from May 2025 until March 2026 and is expected to save participating firms more than £3 million whilst avoiding roughly 2,700 tonnes of CO₂.
The trial is being led by Zero Carbon Services, a consultancy that supports businesses in shrinking their environmental footprint. Under the scheme, companies will receive free assistance with managing their energy use, including site visits, energy audits and advisory calls from carbon-reduction specialists. Each business will benefit from about seven hours of support every month.
A new government-backed pilot scheme aims to shave energy bills and carbon emissions for more than 600 hospitality businesses across the UK, pocketing them £3 million in savings and trimming emissions by 2,700 tonnes.
• The trial, run by Zero Carbon Services, offers complimentary support, including site visits, energy audits and advisory calls to help operators manage their energy use more smartly.
• Firms signing up to the scheme will have smart meters installed that log consumption every half-hour, allowing them to spot where improvements can be made.
• The initiative removes financial stumbling blocks for small and medium-sized enterprises, equipping them with practical tools to cut costs and boost energy efficiency.
Smart meters help monitor energy use
Firms taking part will also gain detailed insight into their consumption. In Scotland they will be fitted with smart meters that record usage every half-hour and send the data straight to their supplier, allowing them to spot patterns and identify savings.
In England, businesses already equipped with SMETS-compliant smart meters – usually identifiable by the word ‘SMET’ in the model name – can also join. These meters are compatible with Zero Carbon Services’ tools and give operators a clear picture of their habits.
The same applies across the UK, from big-name brands to independent operators. Whether a business is based in the Highlands or a busy English city, the trial makes sure its existing kit can be used without additional outlay.
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A chance to cut bills and emissions
Hospitality is a heavyweight in the UK economy, turning over about £93 billion a year and employing 3.5 million people. Yet many venues – pubs, restaurants and small hotel groups in particular – have been clobbered by spiralling energy costs and are under increasing pressure to prove their green credentials.
Mark Chapman, chief executive of Zero Carbon Services, said many hospitality firms are keen to reduce emissions but are unsure where to begin. The scheme, he explained, provides the tools and know-how to take action, helping operators trim costs, boost efficiency and make smarter energy choices.
By offering all of this free of charge, the programme removes one of the biggest hurdles – cost. For smaller outfits with tight margins, the trial offers tangible help without extra expense.
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A wider move towards climate action
The initiative forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which backs industry in improving energy efficiency and meeting national climate targets. It sits alongside other measures, such as streamlined rules for renewable-energy projects and incentives for low-carbon technology.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said the trial demonstrates how the Government is working with business leaders to improve energy use and foster growth. She underlined the sector’s importance to the economy and the need to give smaller firms a stake in climate action.
Schemes of this kind are becoming increasingly common across Europe as governments look for ways to cut emissions without harming business. The UK’s trial shows a practical, results-driven approach rather than mere rhetoric.
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How businesses can get involved
The trial is open to small and medium-sized hospitality firms in England and Scotland. Participants must be willing to share data and commit to working with carbon advisers over three months. They must also have a SMETS-compliant smart meter in place – or be prepared to fit one.
Companies will receive surveys, monthly catch-ups and guidance from energy specialists to pinpoint simple, low-cost ways to curb waste. The scheme is designed to be straightforward and does not require businesses to down tools or change supplier. At a time when many hospitality operators are hunting for savings and greener practices, the trial provides a practical route forward – supporting both commercial growth and climate progress.