New, and more, solar panels on the Cheese and Grain roof.

As part of a plan to reduce costs and massively reduce the carbon footprint of the venue, the Cheese & Grian has fitted more, and better, brand-new solar panels to its roof.

Batteries have also been installed, which means that the venue will keep running even if there is a power cut.

One aim is to protect the venue from sudden future increases in electricity prices. Back in 2022/23, because of the Ukraine war, the venue’s electricity bill doubled to more than £50,000. This sudden hike in prices closed dozens of venues across the UK. The Cheese and Grain weathered the storm but decided that this was a risk it had to quash.

The war in the Middle East means the cost of electricity is likely to massively increases again!

On a good summer’s day, the new panels will generate all the power the venue needs, while storing some in batteries and selling power back to grid.

The Cheese and Grain raised the £78,000 to meet the full cost of the new system and would like to thank the Somerset Rural Prosperity Fund, the Glastonbury Festival and Molson Coors for their contributions. Frome Town Council helped with technical advice, permissions, and planning. The contract to fit the system was awarded to Mole Energy, the renewable energy division of Mole Valley Farmers, which provides energy full-management solutions for homes, farms, and businesses.

Solar panels and battery energy storage is just one element in the venue’s carbon reduction plan, which also includes plans to eradicate the use of gas, plans to use rain water recycling to flush loos, more EV chargers in the car park, improved recycling of waste, installation of highly efficient LED lighting throughout the venue and campaigning for better public transport. The venue will also be planting a tree every time there is a sellout gig.

The Cheese & Grain is a not-for-profit social enterprise registered as a charity and owned and run by local people.