Partner Article

Green deal drives environmental ambitions

A ‘green deal’ with a vehicle leasing company is helping to drive the environmental ambitions of a North East wine merchant.

Lanchester Wine Cellars, in County Durham, has just taken possession of six low carbon emission cars from Teesside-based Advanced Vehicle Leasing (AVL).

The wine dealer is bidding for a carbon minus status as part of its aim to become Britain’s greenest wine company – and plans to trade in its entire fleet of 18 cars and 10 lorries for ultra-low carbon alternatives.

Tony Cleary, who founded Lanchester Wine Cellars in 1980, said: “We not just talking about green initiatives, we are actually doing it.

“We aren’t however being entirely selfless, there are sound commercial reasons for achieving the lowest possible carbon minus footprint, not least in terms of enhanced capital allowances.

“But speak to any under-25 and you’ll quickly realise that the environment is hugely important to them. I believe it won’t be long before every business will have to demonstrate a genuine commitment to being environmentally friendly or risk alienating a generation of potential customers.”

Lanchester Wine Cellars’ offices, warehouses and production centre already incorporate many environmentally-friendly measures, and it hopes soon to secure planning permission for two 500KW wind turbines.

The new fleet of six Volvo C30s and V50s were supplied by AVL, based between Stockton and Darlington in the Tees Valley.

“There has been a major shift in the sector, simply because there is a lack of capital to lend,” said founder and managing director Stuart Beagrie. “Leading contract hire and leasing companies only want to work with introducers who can demonstrate very high standards.

“We are proud to have secured a cost-effective deal on low carbon emission cars which is helping Lanchester Wine Cellars realise their very commendable green ambitions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .