Pubs, restaurants and hotels across England are being offered a powerful new way to cut costs, as a government-backed energy-saving tool expands to hundreds more businesses following a
highly successful trial.
More than 525 small and medium-sized hospitality venues will now gain access to the free digital platform, designed to reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions. The move comes as rising operating costs continue to pressure the sector.
During a 12-month pilot, the tool helped 90 businesses reduce their annual energy bills by an average of nearly £2,500. Some venues reported dramatic improvements, including cutting overnight energy usage by as much as 66%.
The system, developed by Zero Carbon Services with government support, focuses on changing day-to-day energy habits. It provides tailored action plans and real-time alerts, helping operators identify waste from common sources such as fridges, extraction systems, ovens and lighting.
Following the trial’s success, the scheme is now being rolled out more widely, with applications open to hospitality businesses across England. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader clean energy strategy, while offering immediate financial relief to business owners.
Real-world results highlight the tool’s impact. A pub in Bromley reduced its energy use by 26%, saving £48 a week—equivalent to nearly £2,500 annually. Meanwhile, a smaller venue in Caterham, Surrey cut overnight consumption by 66%, translating into savings of more than £1,500 per year.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the expansion would help safeguard the hospitality sector while advancing environmental goals. He emphasized that reducing reliance on fossil fuels is key to long-term energy security and cost stability.
Mark Chapman, CEO of Zero Carbon Services, said the savings are significant when viewed in practical business terms. “Around £2,000 a year can represent the profit from thousands of pints,” he noted, adding that better energy management strengthens resilience and frees up funds for reinvestment.
Business owners are already seeing the benefits. Mark Holden, director of Inn Cornwall, said simple changes identified by the tool are expected to save his company over £5,400 annually across multiple sites. He described the initiative as a potential lifeline for family-run hospitality businesses.
The £350,000 government-funded project aims to make energy management more accessible, particularly for smaller operators that have historically lacked the resources to tackle rising energy costs.
The rollout comes alongside wider support measures for the sector. These include grants worth £23.4 million awarded to 20 companies through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, as well as a 15% reduction in business rates for pubs announced earlier this year.
In addition, a £10 million Hospitality Support Fund will be distributed over the next three years to help more than 1,000 pubs expand their role in local communities—offering services such as cafés, village shops and family-friendly spaces.
Together, these measures signal a broader push to help hospitality businesses cut costs, reduce emissions and remain sustainable in a challenging economic climate. Photo by MarkBuckawicki, Wikimedia commons.