Member Article

Historic 12th century hotel in Coventry recognised after launching green initiatives

A leading hospitality company has taken crucial steps to help a Coventry venue dating back to the 12th century adapt to become more environmentally friendly.

No Ordinary Hospitality Management, which operates Coombe Abbey Hotel, has heralded a new era of green initiatives to help the hotel become more sustainable after picking up the Greengage ECOsmart accreditation.

The historic, listed hotel, which was found to have ‘taken extensive measures to fully embrace environmental sustainability’, achieved the bronze award after a review of five areas of the business including energy and water conservation; waste, recycling, and plastics; rooms, consumables, and facilities management; sustainable food & beverage management; and corporate and social responsibility.

The certification recognises organisations which demonstrate a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability within their business and who promote a green approach with their clients.

The report highlighted the hotel’s energy-saving laundry system, refillable soap dispensers, motion sensor lighting, meeting supplies made from recycled materials, hybrid meeting facilities, vegan, eco-friendly and fairtrade options, and an onsite dedicated wildlife conservation area within the grounds of Coombe Abbey Park.

Coombe Abbey’s chef’s choice menu, which is available as an alternative to corporate buffets to cut down on food waste, was also praised, with plans to update menus as much as weekly – making use of seasonal produce from local suppliers.

Ron Terry, Group Operations Director at NOHM said: “It is part of our mission statement to provide high-quality hospitality services and experiences that deliver social value and profit for purpose, we are thrilled that the steps we have taken to become more sustainable within our local community and environment have been recognised.

“Takeaway boxes for afternoon tea and the use of washable linen napkins instead of paper are simple changes in practice that help to reduce waste and energy usage, but as this report demonstrates, we have taken our whole operation into consideration to begin making impactful changes and implementing a wide range of initiatives across the group.

“In addition to this, our continued expansion at Coombe Abbey means that there is lots to do on-site which mitigates the need for guests to travel to experience other attractions.

“Coombe Abbey Park is also home to Warwickshire’s largest heronry, along with many other species of wildlife who have made their home around the estate, including the lake and historic woodland, which we have a duty to protect, and we hope to see more benefits from our sustainable actions in future.”

Greengage ECOsmart operates within the framework of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, guidelines for which are determined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .