Case Study: Northern Rye – innovation in energy savings
Business Overview
Northern Rye is a popular artisan bakery with a strong reputation for quality bread and pastries. Operating both a retail bakery and a production site, Northern Rye is known for its attention to craft, detail, and community connections. As a forward-thinking business, it was keen to explore ways to reduce energy costs while maintaining product quality.
The Challenge
Bakeries are energy-intensive businesses. Ovens, refrigeration, and production equipment account for a large proportion of operating costs. Rising energy prices put additional pressure on Northern Rye to find innovative solutions that would reduce overheads without compromising output or customer experience.
What They Did
Through the Green Street programme, Northern Rye undertook a detailed sustainability review to identify potential savings. The team discovered that significant energy was being lost through their main oven, which was operating with very little insulation and therefore consuming more power to maintain temperature.
Owner Robbie Livingstone retrofitted the oven himself, drawing on his engineering background to design the modifications, replacing the glass doors with insulated doors. He worked with two local suppliers to source bespoke parts and materials. The result was an efficient retrofit that dramatically improved heat retention.
Green Street also:
- Advised on energy efficiency best practices for the new bakery site that Northern Rye was planning to launch.
- Helped prioritise cost-saving actions over other sustainability ideas, such as food waste projects, ensuring the biggest savings were realised first.
- Promoted Northern Rye’s innovative approach through social media and Green Street digital platforms, raising its profile as a sustainability leader.
The Impact
- £550-£650 per month saved on energy bills due to the oven retrofit.
- Local economic benefit, with all retrofit parts manufactured by two local suppliers.
- Improved online presence, with updates to its website and promotion via Green Street channels.
- Replicable model, with Northern Rye now sharing information with other bakeries (e.g., Big River Bakery) on similar energy-saving measures.
What Other Businesses Can Learn
Northern Rye demonstrates that innovative, practical solutions tailored to a specific business can deliver substantial financial and environmental benefits. By focusing on energy efficiency, it not only reduced costs but also strengthened its operational resilience.
