Greener future as £25k workplace travel grants enable more staff to cycle to work
Businesses across Nottingham are being helped in their quest to go greener thanks to a Workplace Travel Service.
Under the scheme up to £25,000 is up for grabs to help Nottingham businesses, organisations and charities to improve workplace travel options by introducing eCargo bikes, cycle shelters, showers for cyclists and electric vehicle charging points.
The Nottingham City Council scheme is part-funded by the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA),
Mayor Claire said: “We want to make it easier for people across the region to choose greener ways to travel, whether that is by bike, public transport or electric vehicle.
“It is brilliant to see Nottingham businesses and organisations making use of grants that I am able to part-fund through EMCCA to help their staff travel more sustainably, from cycle shelters and shared bikes to EV charging points.
“These are practical changes that can make a real difference, helping to cut carbon, get more people walking and cycling, and improve health and wellbeing. We are delighted to continue supporting the Workplace Travel Service and the businesses making these changes.”
Nottingham-based IT, cyber security, digital transformation, and Microsoft business solutions specialists, Littlefish Group, recently upgraded their shower facilities to encourage more staff to cycle to work. The award-winning business, which provides technology solutions to 1.6 million users globally, prioritises sustainability and creating a greener workplace and is planning to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Mark Kirkwood, Littlefish Group environmental, social, and governance lead, said: “Being able to upgrade our shower and changing facilities with a grant to cover 75 per cent of the cost thanks to the Workplace Travel Service has been fantastic. The application process was simple and we felt supported throughout.
“Now our colleagues have much improved facilities to use, which alongside our cycle to work scheme helps make active travel to work far more appealing.”
Hockley-based cinema Broadway has also recently added a secure cycle shelter as well as new showers for their staff.
It is part of a package of sustainable steps the cinema is taking, including reducing energy use and waste sent to landfill. Their application came after they noticed that more of their about 50 staff were cycling, walking or running to work, but their existing shower facilities were in need of an upgrade.
A spokesperson for Broadway Nottingham said: “As a not-for-profit charity, most of our spending is on the public-facing aspect of the business, and the fact that we have been able to upgrade a behind-the-scenes facility thanks to the Workplace Travel Grant has been greatly appreciated by the team and great for staff morale.”
“It was a magnificently supported application process – the officer in charge was informative, patient and hugely helpful – and we really recommend other local businesses and charities to go for it too.”
Workplace Travel Service
Councillor Patience Ifediora, Nottingham City Council executive member for regional development, growth and transport, said: “It is fantastic to see more local businesses leading by example and taking advantage of our fantastic Workplace Transport grants to make green travel improvements. When more people cycle to work everyone benefits, and we are so pleased to be able to make this positive change a reality for Nottingham-based businesses.
“I encourage more local businesses, charities and public sector organisations to speak to our friendly team and get help with the cost of EV charging points, showers, secure bike shelters and more.”