Decarbonise the Warehouse

The Warehouse in Digbeth is the beloved home of Birmingham Friends of the Earth (BFoE) and a number of purpose-driven enterprises and charities. 

It is also a central hub and safe space for many community interest groups and activists to meet, share ideas and take action to tackle the biggest issues affecting communities, people and the planet.

It has been at the forefront of positive environmental change since BFoE took residency in the 1970s and continues to set standards for more sustainable ways of living and working. It hosts a Cafe run by Birmingham Race Impact Group, bike shop Sprocket Cycles, Voce Books bookshop and a wildlife garden.

A powerhouse for positive change, this also extends to the building itself. While The Warehouse’s age and history forms part of its charm, it also means it isn’t as energy efficient as it could be. 

But together with your support, we have an opportunity to change that by decarbonising it through a number of energy efficient renovations. 

To bring our vision to life, and ensure The Warehouse can continue to support vital activism and communities for many years to come - and building on the success of our last Share Offer - we are launching a new Share Offer to raise up to £46,660. 

The funds will go towards the installation of energy saving measures designed to reduce our carbon footprint while setting the standard for best practice in sustainable living and working.

Launching our new share offer

The Share Offer is eligible for match funding, meaning that 33% of the total raised will be a grant from the Cooperatives UK Energy Sharematch scheme. So the more we can raise, the more grant funding we can access to boost our funds and enable us to carry out more of the renovations that the building needs.

But we need YOUR help to do it! 

We are offering anyone who invests an interest rate of 2-3% on their share capital. Delivering a financial return is not the primary objective but we do want to hit our target and recognise our supporters. Share capital is also eligible for withdrawal, subject to us having the funds available.

Following comprehensive investigation, building surveys and expert counsel, we have created a plan for a programme of proposed works that balance social, environmental and financial returns based on different amounts of capital that we hope to raise. 

Of course, we hope to achieve our maximum fundraising target but we have drawn up a number of options prioritising the work that needs doing against different fundraising amounts (based on a minimum and a maximum target). 

Minimum fundraising target £11,100 (boosted to £16,700 with the Cooperatives UK Energy Sharematch scheme)

Our minimum target would enable us to install wall insulation and a battery to store solar powered electricity generated on-site. This would be really helpful, but by itself doesn’t reach the scale of investment the building needs.

Maximum fundraising target £31,262 (boosted to £46,660 with the Cooperatives UK Energy Sharematch scheme)

If we can reach our maximum target we can also install additional solar panels, switch to a low temperature heating system in readiness for an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) and make our windows energy efficient (secondary glazing, double glazing and draught-proofing).

Decarbonising The Warehouse

Not only will these measures future proof the building and enable it to continue its mission of being a hub for positive environmental change across the city and beyond but it will also deliver the following environmental returns:

• Reduce our carbon footprint by between 900kg and 2,100kg per year

• Reduce our energy bills by between £740 and £3,660 per year 

• Enable us to switch from a gas-powered boiler to an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) within 4-5 years

• Improve thermal comfort and attractiveness of the affected building spaces, supporting the development and growth of community organisations.

Setting the standard for community-led decarbonisation

Achieving the works set out in our stretch target will also enable The Warehouse to become an example of best practice for further regeneration projects in Birmingham and beyond by demonstrating what successful community-led decarbonisation investment looks like. 

Strengthening our role as a bastion for sustainable living and working, we can inspire others to take action by demonstrating practical retrofitting in action - which could be replicated in older buildings elsewhere. Following completion of the project we could also provide data highlighting the carbon savings while setting the standard for similar projects across the UK. 

Our ask

To support our latest Share Offer, we are asking you to make an investment in Community Shares of between £50 and £10,000.  If you are not able to become an investor, but would still like to support the project or BFOE in general, you can make a one-off or regular donation through our webpage. We also welcome volunteers - just give us a ring on 0121 632 6909 or call in for a chat.

By becoming a member and investor in this project, you have a vital role to play, not just in providing finance, but also in having a democratic say in shaping our future plans.

Please note that, as an investor in Community Shares in Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd. your money is at risk if the business fails.  Before completing your application for Community Shares, we require that you:

• Read the Share Offer document (and as much of the supporting information as you wish)

• Wish to become a member of Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd.;

• Agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions within the Share Offer document and the Rules of Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd.;

• Understand that the Board of Directors of Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd. may reject your application and are not obliged to tell you why they have rejected it;

• Consent to receiving formal notices by email and links to formal documents on the BFoE the Earth website.

Our Terms and Conditions for investors are as follows:

• The data provided by you in your application will be stored on an electronic database.  The data will only be used for BFoE purposes and will not be passed to any third party;

• It is a condition of the Share Offer that to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2003, Birmingham Friends of Earth may at its absolute discretion require verification of the identity of anyone seeking to invest;

• To reduce our administration costs, we would like to be able to send you formal notices by email and refer (by email) to documents posted on our website.  By purchasing shares, you are consenting to receiving such notices by email and accessing documents through our website.