Recently we shared stories of Bristol Energy power partners and businesses who are helping our local community amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
We were pleased to highlight our friends at Avon Fire & Rescue Service for their commitment to keeping us all safe during this national emergency, as well as recognise the urgency for extra support to charity-run organisations like We The Curious and Bristol Zoo Gardens.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, we’re thrilled to see more and more Bristol businesses working to lift our spirits despite feeling the impact of Covid-19.
M Shed
M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, sadly had to close its doors in March due to Covid-19, cutting short the fantastic Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition that was on display at the museum, sponsored by Bristol Energy. Bristol Energy powers M Shed with 100% green electricity and was proud to light up the world-renowned exhibition, which saw a footfall of over 36,000 visitors before its premature closure.
Despite closure Bristol Museums continue to educate, entertain and inspire us across their social channels, and are making their collections available to view online. Those missing the art galleries of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery can now enjoy virtual 360 tours.
Bristol Museums rely on venue hires, ticket sales, shop and cafe purchases from visitors for 41% of their income. None of these things are possible whilst their doors are closed due to Covid-19. That’s why donations to their charity, Bristol Museums Development Trust are more important than ever.
Nigel Hardy, Chairman of the charity, said:
Although our venues are temporarily closed we appreciate that art and culture are even more important than ever. The teams at Bristol Museums continue to work hard to look after our venues and collections and bring our galleries to peoples’ homes. However, with our museum doors currently closed, we're losing income every day.
Please consider making a donation to Bristol Museums Development Trust to help us care for our collections, and ensure that when we re-open we can once again provide inspiring school workshops for children and young people and take our work out to communities who need it most. Thank you.
SS Great Britain
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is an iconic Bristol attraction which has also closed due to the pandemic. Bristol Energy is proud to have powered the landmark’s offices in Brunel Square with lower carbon gas since 2018.
As a charity, the SS Great Britain relies on ticket sales and donations from the public to survive, and its sudden closure has resulted in a halt on its main source of income. Under severe funding pressures, the attraction is encouraging donations while its door are closed, and you can also buy a ticket to visit the SS Great Britain, which can be used later, when lockdown is lifted.
Angela Spreadbury, Director of Finance and Resources at the SS Great Britain, said:
Even though the dockyard is closed to visitors, our website offers educational and fun activities including the popular game, Full Steam Ahead, which was developed with Aardman Animations, allowing people to design and test their own ships.
While the SS Great Britain’s dockyard gates are closed to visitors, you can instead take a virtual tour of the ship from the comfort of your home. Interestingly, the SS Great Britain team are managing to preserve the ship remotely during the lockdown with the help of modern technology.
Triodos Bank
Triodos Bank is one of the country’s leading environmental banks, which has been actively working to combat climate change for over 25 years. Bristol Energy and Triodos’ values and vision are intrinsically linked and we’re pleased to be powering the business’ Deanery Road office with lower carbon gas.
During lockdown, the bank has signed an open letter calling on the government to put the restoration of nature at its heart amid the economic recovery from Covid-19. And at a local level, Triodos have shared some fun ideas and useful education resources around sustainability to help parents and guardians while schools are closed.
Triodos Bank UK CEO, Bevis Watts, said:
We have a unique opportunity to build a more sustainable society in the wake of this pandemic – one that puts people and planet first.