Scottish B&B Lights the Way in Energy Efficiency

The Hotel & Catering International Management Association's (HCIMA's) widely acclaimed Government-backed Hospitable Climates energy-efficiency advisory programme in the UK -- is currently saving hospitality industry businesses as much as 20 percent on their energy bills.

"Since its launch in February 2000, Hospitable Climates has been helping all sizes of privately or group-owned hospitality businesses by significantly offsetting the effects of the Climate Change Levy, which has added as much as 15 per cent to energy costs. To date, the programme has seen the combined cumulative energy savings by 3,000 participants signed up to the scheme, exceed the �14 million mark!" explains Rosemary Morrison, Director of Special Projects at the HCIMA

Ross Anderson and his wife Janet bought East Lochhead 9 years ago and started the B&B 6 years ago. The outlet comprises 3 bed and breakfast rooms, 5 self catering cottages and a function room -- it is also the family home of Janet and Ross, their four daughters, Shetland ponies, Jacob sheep, Highland cattle, three dogs and a cat! Nestling in a delightful country setting overlooking the Barr Loch -- and only 15 minutes from Glasgow Airport - East Lochhead Country House boasts an inspiring story of energy efficiency and environmental commitment and one, which all small hospitality businesses can learn from.

East Lochhead is a 25 acre farm with a 120 year old farmhouse with stone built byres and barns arranged around a courtyard. The rehabilitation of the main house and outbuildings has taken some time and the Anderson�s have just completed 2 more cottages and have planning permission for a licensed coffee shop, retail area and conference facilities.

For a "small" outlet their environmental credentials are truly impressive and include an Environmental Policy Statement on the website (www.eastlochhead.co.uk) and in all their guest folders. The folders include information on waste and rubbish, energy saving, Hospitable Climates, Visit Scotland's Green Tourism Business Scheme (of which they are Gold
members).

"East Lochhead is one of the most proactive members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and have used their GOLD award to successfully attract more guests," comments Andrea Nicholas of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, "The scheme, which has a membership of 450 businesses throughout Scotland, promotes good environmental practice including the information and advice available through Hospitable Climates. Businesses receive Green Bonus points if they have signed up helping them achieve a higher award."

Janet and Ross also have a "Green File", an environmental library and encourage guests to complete a feedback form.

"These forms suggest close to 60 percent of our guests say that environmental policies influence their choice of venue," explains Ross. "Clearly it is worthwhile to major on the environment for this reason alone."

Since joining Hospitable Climates in January 2001 the Andersons have implemented a whole raft of low and no cost measures which continue to bring financial benefits to their business and include; installing low energy light-bulbs wherever possible, Sava plugs on all their fridges and freezers, all boilers are fitted with Eco-Flow magnets, when making purchases of new equipment buying the most energy efficient and by implementing an exemplary staff training process.

"Simple things like putting a lid on a pan can save up to 25 percent energy," explains Janet, "so staff training is absolutely essential to making energy efficiency work."

The Anderson's have undertaken a significant growth in their business during the last couple of years (40% year on year) and yet by implementing simple low and no cost energy efficiency measures recommended by the Hospitable Climates programme, they have managed to cap their energy bills to 1% annual growth. Pretty impressive stuff!

And their efforts have not gone un-noticed, amongst the impressive list of awards for excellence we found a Gold Rating in the Tourist Board's Green Tourism Business Award and a Thistle award for Customer Care! For further information on Hospitable Climates visit the website at www.hospitable-climates.org.uk or telephone the help line on 020 8661 4932

For further information about Eastlochhead Country House and Cottages visit the website at www.eastlochhead.co.uk or telephone the Janet and Ross Anderson on 01505 842 610

Notes to Editors
1. For further information relating to this editorial and photographs please contact Claire Lalaguna at Satellitempr on tel: 020 8361 3754, fax: 020 8361 8131, email: Claire@satellitempr.com

2. The Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) is the professional body for managers in the hospitality industry worldwide � its priority objective is to promote the highest standards of management and education worldwide.

3. Launched nationally in 2000 by the then Energy Minister Michael Meacher, "Hospitable Climates" is an energy efficiency agreement between the HCIMA and the Government. Originally, Government's input to the agreement was delivered by the then DETR's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme (EEBPp). Responsibility for the EEBPp has transferred to the Carbon Trust and was re-launched as its Action Energy programme in 2002, and continues to support Hospitable Climates. Hospitable Climates is the only such agreement in existence for the UK service industries. The initial phase of 'Hospitable Climates' was focused on the hotel industry. It is the only such agreement in existence for the UK service industries.

4. For further information on Visit Scotland's Green Tourism Business Scheme please contact Green Business UK Ltd, 4 Atholl Place, Perth PH1 5ND Tel: 01738 632 162 Fax: 01738 622 268 www.green-business.co.uk

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