The Anchor, nestled in the heart of Stanwell Moor Village near Staines and Heathrow Airport, has been a cherished community hub since 1866. Over the years, we have evolved from a traditional British village pub into a versatile, inclusive, and family-friendly establishment that proudly serves our diverse local community. We are honoured to be recognised as a BII Sustainability Champion, a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement.
Our journey towards sustainability is not a finite project but an ongoing dedication to reducing our environmental impact while enhancing the experiences of our patrons. We have undertaken numerous initiatives to ensure The Anchor remains a model of sustainable practice in the hospitality industry.
Key Sustainability Initiatives:
1. Energy Efficiency: We have replaced all lighting, both indoors and outdoors, with highly efficient alternatives, significantly reducing our energy consumption. Our most ambitious project involved replacing our conservatory with a new, highly insulated extension that meets modern standards of heat retention, reducing the need for excessive heating and maintaining a comfortable environment for our guests.
2. Innovative Technologies: To further our sustainability goals, we have integrated advanced technologies like FlowMaster, SmartCellar, and SmartRemote. FlowMaster allows us to reduce beer line cleaning from once a week to once every three weeks, cutting waste and energy use without compromising quality. SmartCellar optimises our cellar cooling, saving up to 35% of energy costs annually, while SmartRemote reduces the energy usage of our remote cooler by 33%.
3. Sustainable Operations: Our kitchen operates at peak efficiency, focusing on customer needs while minimising our carbon footprint. We ensure high-energy equipment is used only when necessary, aligning our operations with our sustainability ethos.
4. Community-Driven Environmental Initiatives: Beyond our internal efforts, we are deeply committed to engaging our community in sustainability. Our "Honey Bee Mine" campaign encouraged local residents to plant pollinator-friendly seeds, enhancing the local environment and supporting biodiversity. Additionally, our Earth Day event brought together local businesses and residents to clean up the village, demonstrating our commitment to preserving and improving our local environment.
Why Sustainability Matters to Us:
At The Anchor, sustainability is more than just a practice; it is a core value that informs every aspect of our operations. We believe that as a longstanding community institution, we have a responsibility to lead by example, showing that it is possible to run a successful business while caring for the planet. Our sustainability journey is driven by a desire to create a lasting positive impact, not only within our community but also in the broader context of environmental stewardship.
We are proud of the progress we have made, but we understand that sustainability is a continuous journey. As we look to the future, we remain committed to exploring new ways to reduce our carbon footprint, enhance our operations, and inspire our community to join us in making a difference.
We are grateful for the recognition from the BII, which motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a truly sustainable pub. The Anchor will always strive to balance tradition with innovation, ensuring we remain a beacon of sustainability for generations to come.
By Peter Pitcher
Manager at The Anchor
You can read more about The Anchor's Sustainability Journey here.