From stained glass restoration to replicating family portraits on glass, Jim Cockerill of HALTglass already offered something special from his studio in Sutton Green. Now, after receiving a grant from Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund for new equipment, he’s able to provide unique services unavailable elsewhere in the UK.

HALTglass specialises in creating high-resolution images on glass using traditional stained glass materials, combined with modern techniques such as silk screen printing and sandblasting.

The grant has enabled Jim to purchase two key pieces of equipment: a much larger kiln and a sandblaster.
“The kiln means I can take on architectural-scale projects for clients, while the sandblaster opens up a whole new market in technique and image preparation,” Jim said.

“The exciting thing about this sandblaster is I can offer processing that isn’t available anywhere else in the UK, so it’s very specialist. I’m working within a niche that will definitely expand my business.”
HALTglass serves a diverse client base, from architects and artists looking to realise their work in glass, as well as restoration specialists and stained glass studios.

Future possibilities for HALTglass, thanks to the grant funding

“I work with artists, designers, photographers and architects,” Jim said. “This will allow me to facilitate much larger commissions, much more ambitious commissions, as well as offer them services in glass decoration that are completely unique and quite innovative.

“I’m currently developing a screenprintable sandblast resist. A product and service which is completely new to the market and offering my clients new possibilities in glass.”

Jim noted he wouldn’t have been able to purchase the equipment without the Council’s support. He reports that the grant has made his business more sustainable and enabled growth that ‘could never have happened without this funding’.

“I’ll soon be opening up my facilities in the form of experience days to cater for a broader market and allow anyone who has a passion for the arts to try this new technique.”

More about the Surrey Economic Growth Fund

To date almost £2 million has been awarded to dozens of recipients via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. This funding has helped to unlock significant match funding and private investment, growing Surrey’s economy by £9 million.

Any Surrey business looking for funding or help to grow can receive fully-funded support from Business Surrey. Get in touch via our Contact us form.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to help your staff travel to work more sustainably and healthily, and in turn help boost productivity. Applications close on 5th April.

Many people live close enough to walk or cycle to work, but without the right encouragement and support, they find it hard. Something as simple as improved lighting, or an internal comms focus on walking, cycling and public transport can make a big difference.

Supporting staff to travel to work by walking, cycling or using public transport more helps employees be more active. This in turn helps improve mental health, relieves stress, and boosts productivity. Additionally, the cost to businesses of road congestion in Surrey has been estimated at £550m per year – so doing what we can to reduce road congestion will bring benefits to us all.

As well as funding, support is available in the form of a helpful resource toolkit: Surrey’s Smarter Travel Toolkit. Download it today to get started on your journey.

Get inspired

According to the Sustrans Walking And Cycling Index, 50% of adults want to walk and cycle more, compared to just 15% of us who say we want to drive more frequently. Employers can help their staff travel better, feel better, and work better by applying for an Active Travel Grant from Active Surrey, and by following the practical steps in Surrey’s Smarter Travel Toolkit.

Surrey businesses are using their grant for improved lighting, electric pool bikes and charging points, lockers, active travel events, cycling accessories, and bike shelters and servicing sessions.

What are the benefits?

Commuting through active modes improves the physical and mental health of employees and can also enhance job performance. And healthier employees take fewer sick days, boosting productivity. It is estimated that poor mental health costs employers an estimated £45 billion each year.

Improving staff travel options can help widen your recruiting pool

Commuting makes up roughly 10–20% of an employer’s Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Encouraging sustainable travel can help support employers reach their corporate goals and ambitions.
Implementing an employer travel plan signals a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, enhancing the organisation’s reputation and appealing to environmentally conscious customers and employees.

Encouraging active commuting like walking or cycling, and use of public transport, can help alleviate car park capacity issues. 10 to 20 bicycles can typically be stored in the space required for one vehicle.

Healthier and happier employees: the UK Chief Medical Officer recommends adults should aim to be physically active every day. Walking or cycling to work or use of public transport can help employees reach this goal and improve their physical and mental health.

Reducing the need for car parking allows space to be reallocated to other uses, for example more attractive public realm or space for further development.

Travel plans can help to improve access to the workplace for all, especially for people with mobility issues, as a result of reduced traffic.

Wider community benefits: implementing a travel plan can have wider community benefits such as reduced local traffic congestion and improved air quality.

What can you do next?

Apply for an Active Travel Grant today, and download the Surrey’s Smarter Travel Toolkit. Got any questions? Contact Active Surrey on active.surrey@surreycc.gov.uk.

Need further support and advice? Get in touch with our team of experts via the Business Support Form.