The Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy takes Thompsons Beyond Solar

Thompsons Solar Installations, part of the Red Rose Award-winning Thompsons Contracts, has been working with the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy to develop a detailed decarbonisation action plan. The collaboration has already delivered energy savings and renewed focus on long-term sustainability.

Thompsons has been growing from its Blackpool base on Clifton Road for almost 20 years. What began as a shopfitting and building contracts business has expanded to include bespoke manufacturing, electrical installation and solar.

The company’s expanded capabilities have helped build a prestigious client base including M&S, Starbucks, Savoy, Malmaison and Gordon Ramsay.

Lucy Boulton, manager at Solar, said: “We installed solar photovoltaics when Thompsons Solar first launched, but we knew there was a lot more we could be doing.”

After meeting Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy advisor Caitlin Sanderson at a local event, Lucy arranged for a full carbon assessment. The result was a data-rich report that quantified the potential environmental and financial savings of various initiatives.

“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 and Caitlin suggested more. 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,” said Lucy

The first action was the installation of PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors in communal areas, which is set to save an estimated 1,739kWh of energy and 478kg of carbon each year, while cutting energy bills by £552.

Thompsons’ relationship with the Academy has since grown into a formal partnership, with the business now one of its solar supply partners. Lucy says the collaboration has also encouraged wider change, “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.”  

Praising the Academy’s grounded approach, Lucy added, “They understand the commercial, practical reality we and every business face. And they understand that carbon reduction must sit alongside other business priorities. The Academy helped us to implement these changes and make the improvements.”

Blackpool businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint are encouraged to contact the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy.