West Midlands wine merchants invests in solar

A Midlands wine merchant has become 100 per cent energy self-sufficient with the installation of 123 solar panels at its site in Shirley, Solihull, supported by funding from Lloyds Bank. 

Frazier’s Wine Merchants is a family-owned fine wine wholesaler and merchant. It supplies wine, champagne and spirits to leading Midlands hospitality venues, including restaurants, hotels and golf clubs, as well as delivering to private clients across the country. 

The Frazier family have been in the drinks industry for five generations, beginning with current owner William Frazier’s grandfather, who was a licenced valuer to local Birmingham breweries in the 19^thcentury. In 1949, his son began the business with the purchase of an off-licence in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. It has since grown into a £3m turnover company, employing 11 staff.

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As part of plans to enhance its sustainability and reduce energy costs, Frazier’s Wine Merchants has installed 123 solar panels on the roof of its premises, capable of meeting the business’ full energy requirement, including powering its specialist climate-controlled warehouse, where many of its oldest and most expensive bottles are stored. 

Since the installation in mid-February, the solar panels have already saved the business almost 7,500 kilos of CO₂, the equivalent of burning 3,000 kilos of coal, or planting over 400 trees. 

The solar panels have been funded via Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Financing Initiative, which provides customers with access to discounted lending for green purposes, as well as a grant from the local council. 

The surplus energy generated by the solar panels is currently returned to the grid. However, plans are underway to install batteries on-site to store the energy, in the hopes of eventually purchasing and powering a fully electric delivery fleet. Other environmental initiatives introduced include reducing its packaging by moving to cardboard where possible, and the installation of LED lighting in its buildings.

The business is also planning to invest in its product and people, growing its headcount by 20-30% and upskilling existing staff, with the aim of doubling turnover over the next two years. 

William Frazier, managing director of Frazier’s Wine Merchants, said: “Wine is a natural product, which means the temperature of our warehouse needs to be carefully maintained. 

With some of our most expensive bottles costing more than £1,500, it’s essential they experience no rapid changes in temperature to preserve their quality. This creates a significant energy demand for the business, which the installation of renewable energy technology will now meet, helping us reduce both our emissions and energy costs.

“Lloyds Bank has been by our side as we begin on our sustainability journey, even helping us find and apply for the council grant, in addition to the loan they provided. Without their support and advice, our move to self-sustainability wouldn’t have been possible.”

Nigel Arnold, relationship manager, SME banking at Lloyds Bank, added: “We’ve worked with Frazier’s Wine Merchants for more than 40 years, and during that time we’ve supported them across a variety of different areas to help drive their growth, including commercial loans and import guarantees. The funding of the business’ solar panels marks our first green loan with this ambitious Midlands business and we’re proud to support them on this important next step, as we work towards a low carbon economy.”

The solar panels were fitted by local installation company, MES Electrical & Solar.