Business & Invest | Published on: 21st January 2025
A highly skilled furniture maker has cut energy bills and kept himself from freezing during the cold winter with the help of Net Zero support.
Garry Smith spends hours designing and finely crafting tables, chairs, cabinets and all manner of wooden creations at Elton-based Parlour Furniture.
But his Smith House Farm base, just a stone’s throw from the A66 west of Stockton, proved difficult to heat.
The Combined Authority’s Net Zero Programme helped provide the sole trader with tailored support and a £2,000 grant which helped pay for new LED lighting and infra-red heaters to improve energy efficiency and ease his numb hands during the working day.
Garry moved out of a central Stockton site to work in the 250-year-old barn.
However, his efforts to keep warm were a struggle, as a diesel blow-heater he had was only heating the void in the ceiling.
The support he received through the Net Zero Programme offered one-to-one consultations and help creating a Carbon Reduction Plan.
And this has allowed Garry to reduce costs and make Parlour more energy efficient.
He said: “I’ve zoned each area so each has its own lighting and spots with 1.3kW infra-red heaters heating objects, not the air.
“The bench and floor heat up and I get warm.
“I spent the £2,000 from Net Zero, plus another £2,000 myself to do it. It really helps as you need your fingers when you’re making fine products.
“It’s been great – it’s a lot of money really. I’m a Yorkshireman so I made it go quite a way.
“It made a big difference, especially at this time of year when it’s 0C.”
Tees Valley Net Zero offer fully funded consultancy support and up to £2,000 grant funding for businesses alongside easy access to online tools and regular webinars and workshops.
The programme is delivered by Decerna on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
The tailored improvements made have helped Garry save £622 a year in energy costs.
“I learned from it,” he added.
“I spoke to the technical advisors, which was interesting, and they pointed me in the right direction on type of heating and what would make a difference.
Garry at his workshop near Elton. Stockton
“They held your hand a bit – which was good. It was quite a straightforward process really.
“Investing in energy-efficient upgrades, like high-quality LED lights and efficient heating systems, can really pay off fast with cost savings and lower carbon emissions.
“It’s important to go for quality products to steer clear of maintenance headaches down the line.”
Yorkshireman Garry sells to retailers as well as private customers.
He studied cabinet making and wood machining at London Guildhall University before going to study Furniture Design and Finecraftsmanship.
And in 2006, he set up on his own – creating Parlour and building a steady living.
“I used to be a timetable manager for a university and hated it,” he said
“I didn’t get much satisfaction from it. With this, I did a couple of properties, and it satisfied me.
“I enjoy it – it’s what I do. It is rewarding because I can go to someone’s house, they tell me what they want and end up with a product which, hopefully, they’re happy with.”
Garry Smith, of Parlour Furniture
Garry is already mindful of the environmental impacts of his business – with Parlour finishing all its accessories and furniture in non-solvent products, oil, wax and water-based paints and lacquers to avoid the harmful effects of solvent-based finishes.
When it comes to the future, Garry is now looking to improve his kitchen area on the back of the programme’s support.
He added: “Other businesses should sign up because it offers invaluable guidance to help grow your business while becoming more efficient and productive.
“The tailored consultations and decarbonisation strategies not only enhance operational efficiency, but also position your business to thrive in a sustainable future.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Getting meaningful support to businesses large and small across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool is absolutely crucial if we want to make the most of the progress we’re making.
“It’s great to hear our support has played a small role in helping a skilled craftsman like Garry ply his trade.
“It’s our job to work to make it as easy and worthwhile as possible for businesses and those running them get hold of funding and support – particularly if it boosts efficiency and saves on their costs.
“If you’re a sole trader, or running a small business, I’d strongly urge you to get in touch and see what we can do for you.”
Fully funded support for Tees Valley Net Zero comes via the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Businesses interested in finding out more about the support can visit: www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/net-zero-support
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