As one of the largest conference centres in the Bristol region, the Winter Gardens on the seafront in Weston-super-Mare has always attracted customers because of its outstanding position, facilities and friendly service. However, in order to remain a competitive player within the hospitality market, we needed to continue to attract new customers and minimise costs and resource use.
In early 2005 the staff at the Winter Gardens decided that they wanted to go further in reducing the building's environmental impacts . Operated by North Somerset Council, the venue drew on the expertise within the authority and together, became the first council service to pilot an Environmental Management System (EMS). The Winter Gardens catering partner, Parkwood Leisure, had already attained ISO 14001, so this seemed the natural next step.
From simple paper recycling, save-a-cup plastic cup recycling scheme and ensuring that computer monitors are not left on standby overnight, to installation of energy efficient equipment, everyone has responded enthusiastically, and suggested ideas to help. One such idea led to plumbed in water coolers being installed in office areas in place of bottled coolers, removing the need to transport the water - and saving money. The benefits of this have been recognised within the authority and it will soon be implemented throughout the rest of North Somerset Council.
One of the significant aspects that a venue like the Winter Gardens has is energy consumption. This has been dramatically reduced by upgrading the computerised building management system giving greater control over consumption, whilst improving the temperature control and comfort for our customers. The Winter Gardens also purchases green electricity and the team behind the annual ENVEC event last year helped us install photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof to help offset the carbon produced at the annual ENVEC event. Our improvements programme including attention to energy efficient lighting is ongoing. Water consumption has also been reduced through initiatives such as the fitting of water saving devices to the toilets and urinals. |
Another area that has been addressed in our EMS is the hosting of events and the various environmental impacts they create. Committing to meet the criteria of the Greener Events guide and promoting use of the guide to our customers has helped us achieve one of the targets of our EMS by reducing impacts and raising awareness.
New and existing customers of the Winter Gardens recognise our efforts and have been keen to support the venue. We believe that a significant amount of new conference business has been won as a result of the Greener Events guide, demonstrating the growing awareness that event organisers have regarding sustainability issues. Our experience has clearly demonstrated that an environmental ethos can have a commercial benefit and reinforces our long term commitment for future improvements.
(Date of case study: July 2006) Source: Greener Events Guide www.oursouthwest.com |
