GREEN-MINDED businesses in Yorkshire have a chance to get up to £8,000 to help them cut costs, reduce carbon and increase sales.

Launched this week, the Resource Efficiency Voucher will help small and medium sized ventures change the way they use their resources, such as energy, water and raw materials, to make carbon and financial savings.

Each business taking part will get a day of free advice from a consultant.

CO2Sense Yorkshire, the not-for-profit green business development organisation, will then match investment up to a maximum of £8,000 on equipment or consultancy support that will help them use less energy or water, or produce less waste. A CO2Sense spokesman said businesses in Yorkshire could save £553 million by making low or no-cost changes to how they use their resources.

Alison Kahumbura, from CO2Sense said: “Every year, businesses can save at least £200 per employee, 20 per cent on their electricity bills and 50 per cent on water bills.

“The voucher will help businesses to make these savings by giving them access to the funding and expert advice they need”.

The deadline for applications is January 31.

York Racecourse has worked with CO2Sense to install solar panels to heat water in its new Knavesmire stand. Brian Douglas, facilities manager, said: “This season we will hardly use any gas at all – we don’t need to heat the rooms in summer, and all the hot water we need will be generated from the solar panels.

“There have been some dull and cloudy days since the panels were installed, but the water temperature has still been fine.

“The supply of water from the system matches what we had previously, so we’re never going to run short.

“The support we received made a big difference.

“The grant application process was straightforward and the panels make a real impact.”

For details, email revoucher@co2sense.org.uk, phone 0113 237 8400 or visit co2sense.org.uk/revoucher