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51 Buckingham Gate

51 BUCKINGHAM GATE – A GREEN GIANT

Being environmentally responsible as a business does not necessarily mean making big gestures and taking on expensive projects.

Implementing basic green practices into the day-to-day routine of a hotel's workings is the difference between being a socially responsible establishment and one which is not.

One of the original members of the Considerate Hoteliers Association (CHA), 51 Buckingham Gate Luxury Suites and Apartments/Crowne Plaza London St James, has always strived to monitor its impact on the environment by continually looking closely at its internal systems across the business.

"It's not just about flying the green flag" says Hetty Bright, Marketing Manager, "it's about really believing that changes can be made internally across all areas which have a direct impact on the environment, without affecting the quality of our offering. In fact, when you take the time to introduce these measures, the encouraging response and support from guests is gratifying, the recognition from the industry bodies rewarding and the positive impact on the profit margins is considerable"

SMALL CHANGES MAKE BIG IMPACTS

Shirish Wagh, Chief Engineer, explains: "Our green drives have never been about making big statements. We offer a unique service in a wonderful old building and therefore the introduction of radical methods such as wind turbines on the roof is not an option. It's all about recognising and identifying the individual impact of an individual business and then reducing it, based on your own systems and restrictions. In our case this means managing our operations to ensure that they are running to their optimum efficiency at all times."

GOOD PRACTICE ROUTINES

Last year the hotel's focus was on water savings in particular, which over ten months has added £5,163 to our profits.

Water Saving Devices at 51 Buckingham Gate include:

Fixed aerators on water taps to reduce water consumption
Fixed Hippos in flush tanks to reduce water consumption
Using rain water for washing courtyard, filling fountain and gardening purposes

The all round running of 51 Buckingham Gate with minimum environmental impact includes:

Filter and coil cleaning of Air Conditioning units in all room and apartments
Motivating and training associates to save energy
Switching on lights and AC in rooms and apartments only before a guest's arrival
Turning off lights, TV's, and exhaust in SPA and Health Club when not in use
Complete yearly maintenance of all major equipment
Insulation of pipes
Removal of extra spotlights from corridors and offices

PROFITABILITY

Whilst putting these measures into action and monitoring them has meant commitment by the team, they have not added any costs for the hotel. In fact, an evaluation of the reduction in electricity, water and gas costs over just one year, after implementing these small changes, has shown a massive saving of £69,525!

AWARDS

The significant steps that 51 Buckingham Gate made over last year, especially in the reduction of water consumption, meant that they also enjoyed the recognition offered by being a winner of the annual CHA Awards 2006, announced earlier this year, in the Envirowise Water Challenge.

Hetty Bright continues: "We enter the Considerate Hoteliers Awards every year because we continually improve our ways of reducing our environmental footprint as a business. Winning an Award of this nature is a very good boost to the team, as well as recognition of what we are striving towards. We also use the Awards to add credibility and substantiate the environmental claims which we make to both our guests and the press."

SHARING THE VISION

Shirish Wagh sums up: "With systems working better, fewer stressful breakdowns of equipment, contented staff, customers happier, business stronger and the environment healthier, why would any hotel not consider this as a key element in their business planning? I have always pioneered 'green thinking' and would be happy to give talks to any local establishments, be it hotels, schools, community initiatives, on how to build and motivate a green team, and how this can add a huge amount to your offering and the environment.

For further information on:

Membership of The Considerate Hoteliers Association call John Firrell on 01308 482313, email jfirrell@tiscali.co.uk or visit www.consideratehoteliers.com
Entering the Considerate Hoteliers Awards – closing date 23^rd November 2007, visit www.consideratehoteliers.com
For further information on Envirowise please visit www.envirowise.gov.uk