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Soar Mill Cove Go Green
Sustainability and green issues are now very much mainstream, with governments, businesses and individuals all involved. Tourism, as one of the main economic drivers in the UK, has its part to play, the salcombe hotel Soar mill Cove fully supports all green issues and has made several positive steps forward. That is where the Green Tourism Business Scheme comes in.
The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK, with over 1400 members. Businesses opting to join are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more.
Soar Mill Cove, a family run hotel in salcombe enjoys one of the most splendid coastal locations in the UK. Surrounded by National Trust land, the single storey building faces south to the beautiful beach at Soar Mill Cove. The Makepeace family and their staff team strive to continuously improve the hotel’s environmentally friendly status.
Great strides forward have been made since 2004. The hotel was a finalist in the Royal Accommodation International Awards for Sustainable Tourism in 2006.
“Staff involvement is the key to our success,” says Keith Makepeace, partner. “We are seeing positive results in every area of our business, from productivity, profit, reducing our environmental impacts to earning client respect.
Positive change at Soar Mill Cove Hotel
• Water conservation: Newly created bore holes and ancient springs feed into adopted WW2 underground reservoirs to irrigate the entire site. Supply pipes from the meter to hotel have been renewed to prevent leaks and SWW now checks the meter 12 times a year.
• A “Turn it off” policy has reduced gas consumption in the kitchen by 36% per annum and costs by 30%, a saving of £512 despite fuel rises.
• Oil consumption for heating has been cut by 13,465 litres, 43%, and costs by £39%, a saving of £2,422 per annum. Better insulation, a new heating system, improved building design and energy efficiencies have all helped despite the actual area heated increasing by 50% owing to capital works.
• Electricity unit usage has been cut by 9% per annum. With an increasing proportion of off peak tariff, the saving is likely to be in excess of £2,000.
“We are proud of being an ecologically sound business,” concludes Keith. “Our increased efficiency means more funds for reinvestment, job security and a healthier environment for our staff and a cleaner, greener and more enjoyable place to stay for our guests.”