County shoppers see the light as centre switches-on to green issues

Jun 18 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

SHOPPERS in the West Lothian area bagged some tips on saving energy while they shopped last weekend.

To mark World Environment Day (June 5), The Centre in Livingston hosted an energy saving fayre in conjunction with the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre.

The event was staged to show the environmental and financial benefits of conserving energy at home.

During the three-day event, which took place from June 4 to 6, shoppers were also given help by expert energy advisors, who also handed out over 1000 energy saving light bulbs to customers.

As well as the energy-saving light bulbs, the advice centre also presented qualifying customers with an energy saving plug called a ‘power-down’ to help save energy further by preventing household appliances going onto stand-by by switching them off at the wall.

Jennifer Bruce, marketing manager for The Centre, said: “We were delighted to invite the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre into The Centre, to speak to our visitors on how to save money and the planet by making a few simple changes at home.

“The Centre marks World Environment Day each year to further promote and raise awareness of energy efficiency and recycling.

“Now we are thrilled to be extending this ethos into the wider community.”

Ruth Kennedy, of the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre was delighted with the response from visitors to the Livingston mall over the three-day fayre.

She said: “World Environment Day’s focus for 2009 is combating climate change, and we were delighted to be able to show so many people across the event simple ways they can play their part in helping to save the planet.

“We also gave out lots of information on how to access grants for things like loft and cavity wall insulation and renewable energy such as solar panels etc by calling us free on 0800 512 012.”