South Seeds is a community-led charity based in Glasgow’s Southside, focused on helping residents live more sustainably. Their work includes supporting households to reduce energy use, offering access to over 500 borrowable items through their “Library of Things,” and providing opportunities to learn how to grow food. As demand for these services grew, South Seeds secured a 25-year lease on a vacant and derelict building - the former Changing Rooms - to create a new community hub.
To transform the space, South Seeds accessed capital funding for the refurbishment. However, staying true to their environmental values meant ensuring the building was powered by a low-carbon heating system. This is where the Green Business Grant played a vital role. The grant enabled South Seeds to explore and implement a renewable energy solution that aligned with their mission and met the practical needs of the site.
Governed by a board of voluntary trustees, the charity took a collaborative approach to decision-making. Trustees brought ideas to monthly meetings, and external consultants were commissioned to assess the site and recommend suitable heating options. Initial proposals included an air-to-water heat pump and electric heating, powered by solar panels and battery storage.
With this information, South Seeds sourced three quotes from local suppliers. These quotes proved invaluable -they helped clarify the overall costs, provided detailed technical specifications, and allowed the team to ask further questions to ensure the proposed systems were the right fit for the building.
Equipped with this insight, South Seeds then engaged with the Green Business team at Glasgow City Council to explore funding support and move the project forward.
Following further site visits and discussions between the site manager and renewable installers, the team opted for an air-to-air heat pump system. This solution was simpler to install, more responsive in heating performance, and better suited to the building’s layout. A revised quote was submitted and approved, allowing the project to move forward.
Installation was efficient and well-coordinated. Solar panels were fitted while scaffolding was still in place, and the heating system was installed in just two days. The battery and heat pump units were positioned outside the building in safe, accessible locations. The renewable energy company worked directly with the site manager, ensuring smooth communication and minimal disruption.
The result is a highly visible, low-carbon heating system that not only powers the new community space but also serves as a tangible symbol of South Seeds’ environmental commitment. The system is cost-effective, future-ready, and reinforces the charity’s role as a trusted source of sustainability advice in the local area.
Lucy Gillie, General Manager said:
" The Green Business grant enabled us to install solar panels and a renewable heating system. This locked in carbon reduction to our project from the very start and we were generating power before we even opened. We found the green business grant easy to access and claim. The paperwork was not complicated. Thanks to Gordon at Glasgow City Council’s Green Business Team for being clear about how the grant can help and encouraging us to succeed."
Visit South Seeds here. Find out more about the Green Business Grant here.
