ECOE representative Sarah Alsbury visits the Strand Centre.
Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a lighting upgrade at the Strand Centre in Dawlish, made possible through a £1,000 grant from the ECOE Community Fund. The project forms part of a broader programme of energy-efficiency improvements at the centre, a key community asset in the region.
The works, undertaken between 18 and 21 May 2026 by a local electrician, involved the replacement of outdated fluorescent and incandescent lighting with modern, high-efficiency LED fittings across four distinct areas: Hamilton Hall (both first-floor and ground-floor), the Vestry area, and the Café area including WC facilities. This initiative completes a wider lighting replacement programme that began earlier in 2026 with support from Dawlish Town Council.
Hamilton Hall (ground-floor) before and after the installation of new LED fittings.
The newly installed LED technology delivers significant reductions in electricity consumption. During a site visit on 19 May 2026, ECOE representative Sarah Alsbury observed that a newly installed LED fitting in the Lounge consumes approximately one-fifth of the electricity required by the original 50-year-old fitting it replaced. Based on projections provided in the grant application, the upgrades are expected to generate annual savings of approximately 1,400 kWh of electricity, equivalent to around £560 per year at current tariff rates.
The Vestry area before and after the LED upgrade.
Beyond operational cost savings, the project contributes to the Strand Centre’s ongoing commitment to carbon reduction. The centre, a member of The Community Action Group network in Devon, participates in a range of environmental initiatives, including Turn the Tide and Dawlish Against Plastic. The lighting upgrade is one of several measures informed by an energy audit conducted two to three years ago. Future projects under consideration include the installation of solar panels and an overhaul of the gas-powered underfloor heating system.
The Café area before and after the LED upgrade,
creating a brighter and more welcoming space for visitors.
The Strand Centre serves more than 1,000 individuals annually through food provision, warm spaces, community meals, advice services, and support for those experiencing poverty, homelessness, isolation, or ill health. By reducing energy expenditure, the centre is better positioned to sustain these services amid rising operational costs and increased demand. The improved lighting also enhances health and safety, creating a brighter and more welcoming environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers.
Claire Foullon, representing the Strand Community Trust, commented:
“We are extremely grateful to ECOE for this grant, which enables us to continue our energy-efficiency programme and reduce our energy consumption by at least one-fifth. The financial savings generated will be reinvested directly into supporting families and individuals in our community, including through our food bank services.”
The ECOE Community Fund continues to support local initiatives that deliver tangible environmental and social benefits. The Strand Centre’s project exemplifies the positive impact that targeted funding can have on community resilience and sustainability.
For further information about the ECOE Community Fund, including how to apply, please visit our Community Fund page.
