Schemes and Funding

If you are part of community group, local charity or environmentally focused collective there are schemes available which could provide financial assistance to help you to deliver projects in our communities.

Here are some ideas to get you started, it is also worth doing your own searches as well to find other sources which could help. Bear in mind that eligibility criteria apply for some funding schemes.

• Climate Action Fund - Energy and Climate - from the National Lottery Community Fund
• Powering our Communities Fund - from Electricity Northwest
• Net Zero Business Accreditation Scheme
• depending on the project, you may also be able to apply for Chorley Council Community Group grants and funding. 
• Chorley businesses may be also be able to apply for business grants.

The Net Zero Business Accreditation Scheme is currently open for applications!

Chorley council is committed to reaching its ambitious target of net zero by 2030. As part of this we have a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the borough to showcase the fantastic work they are doing to help us reach our target and help to fight climate change. 

Therefore, we are introducing the Chorley Net Zero Business Accreditation scheme. We want to reward and publicise excellent practise, inspire other businesses and create a ripple effect of net zero innovation across Chorley. 

Below details key information of scheme including the scheme format, supportive information, key dates, application forms and contact details.  

• benefits following accreditation 
• how it works 
• supportive information  
• application form  
• privacy notice  
• accreditation scheme contact details 

Benefits following accreditation 

We want to celebrate your exceptional work through this accreditation scheme and if you are accredited your business will be included in communications delivered by Chorley Council including;  

• a  placement on the Chorley Council website as part of a directory of businesses in receipt of the accreditation
• a press release relating to the accreditation  
• a yearly feature on our social media channels outlining the successful accredited businesses 
• be used as a case study we use to highlight excellent practice (with permission from the applicant).  
• be part of other ad-hoc opportunities the council may generate to promote the accreditation. 

Each accredited business will be provided with a plaque to be displayed within their businesses and online png plaque to be used online with websites, emails social media channels. All plaques will be presented to accredited businesses by our Executive Member for Customer, Streetscene and Environment. 

How it works 

Every year, 10 businesses will be awarded this prestigious accreditation.  Your application will go through a rigorous process of long listing and then through to short listing. Long list judging will be the top 20 businesses of those who have applied which then move onto short list judging.  

The final short list will be judged by a panel of esteemed judges who are have extensive knowledge of the environmental and business fields. Short listing will be completed with in person interviews with our panel of judges. Final dates and times of these interviews will be coordinated following the completion of long listing.  

Once accredited, businesses will no longer be required to reapply annually. For businesses that were unfortunately not successful in a given year, they are able to apply another year.  

Supportive information 

In order to support businesses in the application process a support document has been developed which provides additional information regarding the scheme, the judging format, points which would be beneficial to cover within an application. The supportive information has been developed to cover key information which will be beneficial to businesses of all sizes.  

For businesses in the early stages of making steps towards net zero and sustainability this document will provide support and information for steps which can be taken towards these goals and potentially support a future application to the Net Zero Business Accreditation Scheme.  

View more on Net Zero Business Accreditation supportive information.

Applications

Applications are now open for the Net Zero Business Accreditation 2025, application will close on the 29 July 2025. 

Application form

The application period is currently open from 27 May 2025 and will close after a 10 week period on 29 July 2025. 

Please download the application form and email your completed application along with any voluntary supporting documents to climatechange@chorley.gov.uk

Accreditation scheme contact details

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the team via email on climatechange@chorley.gov.uk or phone on 01257 515151. 

Awarded businesses of the Chorley Net Zero Business Accreditation are listed below including some details of the business and contact information. 

Crowberry Consulting Ltd

Crowberry Consulting is a sustainability consultancy based in the heart of Chorley. Whilst supporting other businesses they partake in carbon offsetting themselves provided by a verified gold standard provider and complete carbon footprinting online via the SME Climate Hub. They also support their staff in sustainable commuting by investing in E-bikes for staff use.

Contact information: Telephone 01257 231171, email info@crowberryconsulting.com and website www.crowberryconsulting.com

GA Pet Food Partners

GA Pet Food Partners is a dry pet food manufacturer based in Bretherton who are focused on reducing their carbon footprint by 50% every decade to reach net zero by 2050. GA Pet Foods has implemented Environmental Pledges which ensures continual improvement of energy efficiency, waste reduction, biodiversity improvements and regenerative farming practices.

Contact information: Telephone 01257 633200, email enquiries@ga-petfoodpartners.co.uk and website www.ga-petfoodpartners.co.uk

Morris Quality Bakers Ltd

Morris Quality Bakers Ltd are a wholesale bakery based in Coppull. They have chosen to reflect the environmental policies of those they provide goods to and have implemented an Environmental Policy and completed annual Scope 1, 2 and 3 audits. Morris Bakers seek to source local materials, recruit locally and maximising delivery routes.

Contact information: Telephone 01257 471101 and website www.morrisqualitybakers.co.uk

Panache Travel Group

The Panache Travel Group is a cruise-based travel company with their office base in Chorley. Panache have taken time to supply and promote b corp certification cruises and ensure cruise liners take measures to reduce their impact on the environment and educate customers on the local environment and preservation measures.

Contact information: Telephone 0161 5169042, email info@panachecruises.com and website www.panachecruises.com

Red Rose Storage Limited

Red Rose Storage Limited is a self-storage company based in the heart of Chorley on Berry Way. Their facility was purposefully designed to ensure it is as energy efficient and self-sufficient as possible. They provide environmentally conscious options to users including free use of an electric van for moving in and out of the facility.

Contact information: Telephone 01257 271103, email hello@redrosestorage.co.uk, and website www.redrosestorage.co.uk

Reed’s Refillery

Reeds Refillery is a local independent refill shop based on Market Street in Chorley Town Centre. Refill shops allow for the community to reduce their own waste by refilling food and household liquids and reusing containers. In 2023, Reeds Refillery allowed for 29,118 containers to be refilled rather than discarded. Reeds Refillery also supports local businesses allowing for local refilling ensuring a local closed loop system.

Contact information: Telephone: 07865854853, email reedsrefill@gmail.com and address 56B Market St, Chorley PR7 2SE

Rural business grants 

Expressions of interest were open for rural businesses across Chorley to apply for grant funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) until October 6, 2023.

Chorley Council was awarded funding from the Government's Rural England Prosperity Fund to help supercharge growth and create employment opportunities for the borough's rural areas. A total of £400,000 was allocated to support new and existing rural enterprises and initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects including renewable energy and net zero. 

The fund is managed by Lancashire County Council on behalf of Chorley Council. For information, businesses should email ruralprosperityfund@lancashire.gov.uk

Information on climate change related business grants

Below are links to information on climate change related business grants and support provided by a range of external organisations (eligibility criteria may apply): 

• UCLan's Making Carbon Work 
• Chamber Low Carbon 
• Grant schemes for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• North West - Low carbon R&D and innovation support for businesses across the UK North West
• Lancashire Business Boost