Case Study: Polskie Smaki U Ewy – getting set for growth with smart green choices
Business overview
Polskie Smaki U Ewy is a buzzing Polish deli on Adelaide Terrace, packed with fresh food, friendly service, and loyal local customers. With plans to expand, the team wanted to get ahead of rising energy and packaging costs and saw the Green Street grant as the perfect way to put greener systems in place as the business grows.
The challenge
Like many food businesses U Ewy was facing rising energy bills from equipment that was no longer efficient. The oven was using more electricity than it should, and the business knew upgrading could save money and improve service. It was also keen to cut packaging costs, reduce waste, and encourage reuse within the community.
What they did
From the beginning, the team was clear that they didn’t just want to save money — they also wanted to encourage reuse and offer better choices for their customers.
With its grant of £999.98, and support from Green Street, U Ewy:
- Replaced an old oven with a new convection oven that uses much less energy.
The business also:
- Created branded, reusable bags, available at the counter so customers have the option to avoid single-use plastic and support a local business.
The impact
- The oven upgrade now saves around £50 to £60 a month, over £600 a year, on electricity costs.
- A more efficient oven that improves food quality and availability.
- Reusable branded bags help reduce waste and build community pride.
- Visible action on sustainability that customers notice and value.
- A business that is better prepared for future growth and rising energy costs.
What other businesses can learn
U Ewy is a great example of how small changes can make a big difference. It didn’t just stop at the grant. It went a step further and invested in returnable packaging that reflects its values and gives customers a better option.
One of the biggest learnings is that many businesses don’t realise how much older equipment could be costing them to run. In U Ewy’s case, simply swapping out one oven is now saving over £600 a year. Payback can be much quicker than expected — and with the right advice and a bit of funding, it’s an easy win.
Its story shows that building in sustainability early not only saves money, it also makes the business stronger and more future-ready.
