Pendle News Room

One of Pendle’s biggest employers has invested over £215,000 in solar panels, supported by funding from the Nelson Town Deal.

Furniture manufacturer Buoyant Upholstery Ltd, on Hallam Road in Nelson, has just completed the installation of 700 solar panels fitted onto its warehouse roof in a bid to keep reducing its carbon footprint.

The company got a grant of £100,000 to support the work under the Business Resilience and Growth Project which received £2 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The Business Resilience and Growth Project is one of seven within the £25m Nelson Town Deal and is designed to promote sustainable growth in the area, create jobs and provide new opportunities for local people.

Buoyant remains one of the largest employers in Nelson, providing jobs for people who live across Pendle.

The new solar panels will generate 12% of the energy needed by the company and provide a reduction of 118.3 metric tonnes of carbon per year.

Buoyant’s commitment to the environment and sustainability is a key part of their long-term vision for the company which has also seen significant investment in LED lighting and electric vehicles. 

Mike Aramayo, Buoyant Upholstery’s Managing Director, said: "We are grateful for funding to make this project possible.”

"We take our responsibility to the environment seriously and fitting solar panels to our warehouse represents a significant milestone in our journey towards reducing our carbon footprint,” he added.

 Mike Williams, Pendle Borough Council’s Tourism & Economic Development Officer leads the Business Resilience and Growth Project. He said:

“The grants are focused on encouraging clean, eco-friendly, sustainable growth including initiatives to lower CO2 emissions or energy consumption.

Grants can also be used to pay towards the cost of new machinery and building improvements.

“Buoyant has proven to be a true ambassador for the type of business we want to support.

“We’re still keen to hear from other Nelson manufacturing businesses that have potential projects which could benefit from the Town Deal Fund,” said Mike.

The Nelson Town Deal boundary includes Whitewalls and Lomeshaye industrial estates.

The Business Resilience and Growth Project has been designed to provide grants of up to £100,000 per eligible business and companies must be able to match the funding from the Nelson Town Deal.

Grants can be used for investment in new machinery, and for building improvements to support growth.

For more details, please contact Mike Williams at business.support@pendle.gov.uk.

Councillor Mike Goulthorp, Deputy Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said:

“This project perfectly showcases the type of projects the Business Resilience and Growth Project can support.

Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, said:

“It is clear to see that Buoyant is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and we are delighted to be able to support the company’s goals.

“The benefits of these grants will be felt more widely as new machinery and adapted premises will boost productivity across Pendle and decarbonisation projects will result in energy savings and cleaner air.

“The Nelson Town Deal is a once in a generation opportunity for Nelson and our wider area and this project will help to make a big difference for a more sustainable economy,” he stated.