Cumbrian businesses rewarded for commitment to environment

24 March 2010

(left to right): Excellence Award winners David Ronald (Lakes Leisure Ltd), Trisha Dixon, David Oglethorpe (Glaramara Centre), Alison Clark (Miner’s Arms), Tim Rumney (Castle Green Hotel), Jon Shatwell, Environment Agency Area Manager.

Cumbria’s best environmentally-savvy businesses were honoured at the 2010 Cumbria Business Environment Network (CBEN) Awards, held at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.

CBEN is a project delivered by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) that provides advice, audits and support to Cumbrian businesses looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impact and manage their resources more efficiently. CBEN is part-funded by NWDA through the regional Enworks Resource Efficiency programme.

The awards, sponsored by the Environment Agency and Resource Cumbria, rewarded 230 leading businesses that are benefiting the outstanding Cumbrian environment.

Winners were announced in three categories - Gold, Silver, and Bronze - and these were given to businesses on their commitment to changing working practices to lower their environmental impact.

In addition, four Excellence awards were given to businesses that went over and above the criteria required – truly embracing new measures out of concern for the environment, and showing real dedication to resource efficiency.

Excellence Award winners were:
Gold – Lakes Leisure Ltd, Kendal
Silver – Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
Bronze - Glaramara Centre, Borrowdale
Outstanding Individual – Alison Clark, Miner’s Arms, Nenthead

Environment Agency Environment Manager Jon Shatwell presented the Excellence Awards and said: “The awards showcase the true dedication businesses have placed on protecting the environment and recognise excellence in efficient working practices. I would like to congratulate all the award winners on their success. It is great to see so many businesses across Cumbria not just thinking about, but actively doing something about reducing their environmental impact. All the award winners should be proud of their achievements.

“It’s also really exciting to see companies’ ongoing commitment to upholding good environmental standards, by getting awarded year on year and for the first time, there has also been an award for an outstanding individual – Alison Clark from the Miner’s Arms in Nenthead – who has been a real environmental champion in her village.”

On being presented with her award, Alison commented, “going up against all of these big businesses, I did not expect to win this award. For me, my work is a labour of love, and I really try to reach out to my local community.”

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, spoke passionately on the need for businesses to act now on climate change. He praised the businesses in attendance, emphasising that they were setting an example for the rest of the country.

Sam Gyllenspetz, CBEN Co-ordinator, said, “I always feel a great sense of pride in seeing and listening to the achievements that have been made by Cumbrian businesses. Once again, I am delighted to see such a great response and higher standards than ever before.”

“We hope other business will be inspired to enter the awards next year and take advantage of the fantastic rewards they bring.”

Now into its eleventh year, the programme has attracted businesses from a wide range of sectors across Cumbria.

Some of the businesses that had previously earned awards have upgraded their status, reflecting their ongoing commitment.

Bob Clark, Executive Director of CREA, said, “whilst the big debate about climate change rumbles on, there are many things that businesses can do now, by reducing energy and water consumption as well as cutting down and recycling waste, to reduce their impact on the environment, and importantly making savings which immediately benefit the bottom line.”

CBEN provides advice and support to Cumbrian businesses looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impact and manage their resources more efficiently.

Full details of CREA’s programmes, advice services and activities can be found at www.crea.co.uk.