In focus
Green Deal 4/4
imaginations of many businesses around
the country".
Smith said: "There are other options
out there but they will mean that small
companies are at the end of a supply
chain and not in charge of it. The traditional route is not something that traditional contractors want to go down. Our
opportunity is something small SMEs
are going to design and own so we think
not only will it be cheaper for them to
get involved, it will be easier."
The conduit is backed by a range of
professional institutions and trade associations which, combined, represent
almost 100,000 SME and micro businesses in the UK. Some of the big names
involved include the FMB, the National
Federation of Builders (NFB) and Royal
Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The idea is for members of the Conduit
to work independently but within a
framework. Berry is hopeful that the
Conduit can work, but admitted that
Government funding was needed if it
was to take off.
"We are trying to get funding for it
because obviously its got quite a big
upfront investment to get it off the
ground, but it is still in a development
Mechanisms like the Green Deal Conduit should help SMEs make the most of the scheme
stage and we're still committed to it
because there is that huge market for
retrofit and it would just be nice if the
Government was a bit more supportive
in a practical way to enable more SMEs
to get involved."
*Correct at the time of going to press
