A Bristol-based business has benefitted from £6,000 of financial support in the first grant and subsidised finance through Bristol’s Clean Air Zone Financial Assistance Scheme.

The scheme provides direct financial support in the form of a grant, interest-subsidised finance, or a combination of the two to help people and businesses avoid paying a daily charge of up to £100 per day.

The award was made through Shire Leasing PLC, an independent funder appointed by Bristol City Council to deliver on the scheme and financially support businesses to invest in lower emission vehicles ahead of the upcoming Clean Air Zone. Julie Henehan, Corporate Development Director of Shire Leasing commented, “We’re thrilled to bring our experience to support Bristol businesses in making greener and affordable improvements.

“Being from Bristol myself, I’m delighted that the City is one of the first in the UK to offer financial support to ease the transition to greener vehicles. As a tried and tested funder in this space, we look forward to supporting many more businesses in and around Bristol upgrade through our simple processes with support from our knowledgeable and friendly team.”

Shire Leasing’s services on the Scheme are to support businesses, for which Bristol City Council has £32m in government funding to upgrade HGVs, LGVs, taxis, and private hire vehicles to cleaner, compliant vehicles. Through Shire’s dedicated Bristol Clean Air Zone webpage, eligible businesses can submit an online finance application for a Grant and/or subsidised interest finance option, with credit decisions returned within 8 working hours.

The company says the appointment to the Bristol Scheme bolsters its ‘Driving Clean Air’ programme, which already supports SMEs upgrade vehicles through other similar schemes across the UK. In 2020, Shire Leasing worked closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council to develop the first Clean Air Zone Financial Assistance Scheme, which formed a framework for other Local Authorities to adopt in their cities. Since financing the very first vehicle on the Bath scheme in January 2021, Shire Leasing played a key role in enabling fleet compliance throughout the city, providing funding for over 40% of all vehicles replaced through the Scheme.

To find out more about available financial support and begin the application process, click here.

(Picture – Shire Leasing)