From Richard Lutz

Two Birmingham neighbourhoods are taking part in a ground breaking campaign to help businesses ‘go green.’

Pubs and small shops in Kings Heath and Selly Oak will ensure 20 percent of cash intake from special customers goes towards ecologically friendly schemes such as installing solar panels or buying low energy light bulbs.

Customers who are part of an organisation called 9carrots will all take part in the project which is already in place in the States and Canada.

So, exactly what is happening in Birmingham? In Selly Oak, the Urban Village pub has already started buying low energy bulbs for its chandelier after using 20 percent of its gross from customers. In one night alone the pub set aside £470 to go green for a range of proposals.

In Kings Heath, the Hare and Hounds pub is buying a low energy refrigeration unit through the rake off. The nearby Station Pub is helping out the environment by buying solar panels.

Jonathan Melhuish from 9carrots said the idea is to ensure that customers of pubs and small shops help change the way Britain consumes energy from deteriorating sources. The plan will hopefully expand in the city after the Kings Heath and Selly Oak campaigns get fully underway.

Tom Tierney, from an eco- group called the Kings Heath Transition Initiative added: ‘We think the 9carrots scheme is a great way to connect local businesses with their community and allow them to work together towards a sustainable future. We’re really encouraged by the enormous support in Selly Oak and are really looking forward to getting things going in Kings Heath”

To learn more about 9carrots and its city plans, click on http://9carrots.org

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