Whitbread Launches Green Refurbishment Drive
Released on: July 16, 2010, 6:39 am
Author: Premier Inn
Industry: Travel
Whitbread PLC, the UK's largest hotel and restaurant group,
has today announced that as part of this year’s capital investment
programme it will be spending over £7m in a major sustainability
programme to boost the environmental performance of its hotels,
restaurants and coffee shops. The move forms an important part of
Whitbread’s 'Good Together' sustainability strategy and will help the
business deliver against its targets of a 26% reduction in energy
consumption and a 20% reduction in water use by 2020.
The investment drive will focus on Whitbread's existing estate and will see the
introduction of a package of efficiency measures to help the company reduce its
carbon emissions and conserve water.
As part of the programme, 20,000 low-flow showerheads will be installed at Premier
Inn hotels. Extensive tests by Whitbread have helped
the company develop a showerhead which delivers the feel and effect of a powerful
shower while saving three litres of water a minute. This single initiative will
save enough water to fill 88 Olympic swimming pools a year by 2012.
Another key element of the programme will see £2.6m go towards low-energy LED light
bulbs, replacing 75,000 energy inefficient light bulbs. This investment will save
an estimated 6200 tonnes of carbon each year as well as reduce Whitbread’s energy
bill.
Additional energy and water saving measures include investment in voltage
optimisation, thermal building insulation, automated lighting systems, bathroom tap
restrictors and dual flush toilets, renewable technology such as solar panels and
micro combined heat and power and solar film (window film which allows light in but
reduces the need for cooling by keeping heat out in summer).
Chris George, Whitbread's Head of Energy & Environment, said: "This significant
green investment is a major step forward for Whitbread as we continue to drive down
carbon emissions and reduce water consumption as part of our 'Good Together'
commitments. By leading the way in our sector, we can show what can be achieved
when you are committed to taking action on the environment. What’s really exciting
about our programme is its scale - we have the largest portfolio of hotels,
restaurants and coffee shops in the UK. That means we have a real opportunity to
make a difference and there is considerable scope for us to be innovative and
bold."
Whitbread is also operating a sustainable new build programme and construction is
currently underway on a second green hotel and first low-carbon restaurant. Burgess
Hill Premier Inn and Beefeater in West Sussex, due to open in late Autumn 2010, follows Whitbread’s
pioneering green hotel pilot in Tamworth, Staffordshire - the UK’s
first green budget hotel which opened its doors to guests in December 2008.
Ends
About Whitbread PLC:
Whitbread PLC is the UK’s largest hotel and restaurant group operating
market-leading businesses in the budget hotels and
restaurant sectors. Its well-loved brands are Premier Inn, Beefeater, Brewers
Fayre, Table Table, Taybarns and Costa Coffee.
Whitbread PLC employs over 34,000 people and serves 10 million customers every month
in over 2,000 outlets across the UK.
Whitbread was one of the first hotel and restaurant companies in the UK to achieve
the Carbon Trust Standard, demonstrating Whitbread's commitment to becoming a truly
low carbon leader and sustainable business in the communities in which it operates.
In March 2009 Whitbread launched the 'Whitbread Model' - a six month
apprenticeship programme. The 'Whitbread Model' is an innovative apprenticeship
programme where employees are eligible to be an apprentice across its UK hotel and
restaurant operations. Employees can study for NVQ’s in House keeping, Food
processing and Cooking, Food and Drink service and Front Office. Ofsted awarded
Whitbread with an 'Outstanding' grade for its Hospitality and Catering Training
programme in October 2009.
PR Contact:
Nicola Smith
Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants
Whitbread Court
Houghton Hall Business Park
Porz Avenue
Dunstable
LU5 5XE
07827 084736
www.premierinn.com
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