When the Emma Rice Company created their new venue ‘The Lucky Chance’ at the former Portway Methodist Church in 2022, they saw an opportunity not only to create a vibrant new cultural venue, but to power it sustainably. From the outset, solar power was a key part of their vision for an environmentally responsible refurbishment.
Frome Town Council supported them to achieve their vision for this historic building. The council’s renewable energy team has also recently helped the Cheese and Grain switch to solar power as part of their ambition to be a carbon-neutral venue.
Now fully operational, solar panels at The Lucky Chance are expected to generate around 11,000 kWh of electricity per year. On sunny days, they can produce more electricity than the building consumes, allowing the battery to store excess energy for later use, dramatically reducing the groups’ energy bills and carbon emissions.
Emma Rice, Artistic Director of The Emma Rice Company, said:
“From the very beginning of the Lucky Chance project, we wanted to honour this remarkable space not just as a cultural venue, but as part of a sustainable future for Frome. Installing solar panels was an obvious choice — it aligns with our environmental values and dramatically reduces our energy costs. And our battery means the sun energy continues to power our wonderful Frome venue into the night. We’re particularly grateful to Frome Town Council for their vision and support in helping make renewable energy a reality for local organisations. Their leadership shows that even in conservation areas, renewable energy can play a key role in strengthening both our cultural and ecological wellbeing.”
FTC’s Renewable Energy Coordinator Will Reynolds said:
“The Lucky Chance story shows that it’s possible to achieve effective solar projects, even in a heritage building like The Lucky Chance, close to one of Frome’s conservation areas. Early planning, strong stakeholder engagement, and sustainable decision‑making were behind the success of this project. The result is a low-carbon, energy‑resilient venue that powers theatre and climate action in equal measure. Our team can provide tailored advice for your business or your home to facilitate a switch to green energy, from practical knowhow and finding the right supplier to funding support: please get in touch with us at renewables@frometowncouncil.gov.uk to discuss how solar or other sustainable energy solutions can work for you.”
Find out more about the support available for homes and businesses to explore sustainable energy at https://bit.ly/solar-and-beyond.
