Big Lemon: a Social Enterprise which the city should support

In 2008, the Council published a strategy to support social enterprises. A social enterprise is a business which has a clear social or environmental purpose above and beyond economic performance. The Big Lemon is an example, because it runs on used cooking oil instead of petrol or diesel, and because of its community values. It has won awards, and fulfils one of the wider benefits of social enterprises, namely raising the bar for other companies.

However, it does not have the easiest of business models, and is currently under threat because of price changes on the main Brighton to Falmer route meaning that it has seen a loss of revenue.

The Council and the Brighton and Hove Bus Company do work closely together, and in addition to that the Council has a strategy to support and promote social enterprises. I've written to Cllr Geoffrey Thobald, Cabinet member for the Environment, asking him to consider ways in which the Council can support the Big Lemon so that it can continue operating.

Many residents of Hanover and Elm Grove are students, or work at the Falmer campuses, and many of them use Big Lemon services. The more public transport options are available along the Lewes Road the better, as they encourage people to use alternatives to cars: that's beneficial for air quality, the climate, and parking in local streets.

Big Lemon clearly offers a service that's valued by the city, and one that deserves some support.

Tracey Hill