The Exchange

The Exchange - Newcastle

One of Newcastle's 'hidden gems', The Exchange, is Newcastle's 1930s themed 'speakeasy'. With lots of quirky features, including a hidden doorway and a menu devoted to notorious gangsters, The Exchange is sure to make you feel like you have taken a step back in time.

Andrena Smith-Bowes, licensee at The Exchange, has been key in implementing sustainable change at this quirky and alternative but much-loved venue.

Energy reduction is key for sustainable success, and Andrena has really drummed this into the staff. The commitment to sustainability can be seen in the bar’s appliances, with LED lighting, smart thermostats and energy monitoring technology all common place throughout the venue. This enables The Exchange to be as efficient as possible, while also allowing Andrena to make data-informed decisions on actions to undertake with future sustainability-related decisions.

Waste-reduction has also been successful for Andrena and the team. Recycling programmes are now widely used by all, while the food menus have been changed to reduce waste. This consists of customers clarifying whether they would like to include side salads with their orders. Andrena has found further innovation in low carbon dishes, with an increase in plant-based menu items and a reduction in meat-based products.

Andrena insists that everyone needs to help if The Exchange is to create a sustainable future in the local community, with customer & team engagement a key feature of operations. Sustainable transportation is heavily promoted, with customers and staff encouraged to use public transportation, bike or walk to the pub and provided with incentives such as discounts or rewards should they complete this successfully.

We are extremely pleased to add The Exchange to our ever-growing list of Sustainability Champions and look forward to seeing their outstanding work continue in the future.

You can view The Exchange website here.

The Millpool - Coventry

The Millpool, located in Coventry, is a traditional local with hand-pulled ales, a British pub menu, regular meal deals and beer garden.

Licensee, John Carey, has been key to the move towards a sustainable future for the pub, ensuring that greener initiatives are always at the forefront of his thinking when making the decisions regarding this local favourite.

Some key changes made by John and the wider team include using energy saving bulbs, an insulated roof and promoting recycling by ensuring that the relevant bins are in place.

Lowering the carbon footprint of the pub has also been imperative for John. One of the ways he has done this is by promoting veganism through his menu options. The Millpool is now known for having some of the best vegan choices and options in the local area.

Food waste is another area that is managed closely by John and the team. Menu design is reviewed regularly, and food ordered in from local suppliers always has to be of the correct quantity.

Having his team on board has been key for John and The Millpool’s success, with regular catch ups put in place with all staff. Team meetings are very transparent and the impact of energy reduction measures on both the bottom-line profit and loss, and the environment, is always clearly stated.

When quizzed on how important it is to lead on a sustainable future in the local community, John does not downplay how much environmentally friendly operations mean to him:

“On a broader level it is absolute vital. With climate change affecting the whole world we all have to do our part. It’s the only way we can tackle or reduce it.

“On a local level, whilst it helps the business financially, it is about genuinely caring about the environment and the people who you serve locally. It is so important to keep learning ourselves and educating those around us. It’s all about education to create a greener and safer environment we live in. It all starts locally and hopefully that will have a ripple effect and spread the good work and influence.”

We are delighted to recognise this country favourite and award them with BII Sustainability Champion status.

You can view The Millpool website here.

Moon and Sixpence - Clevedon

The Moon and Sixpence is one of the most popular pubs in Clevedon. Situated in a prime seafront position looking out over the Bristol Channel and facing Clevedon's famous Victorian Pier, spectacular sunsets can be witnessed from the pub balcony offering some of the best views in Clevedon or from our outside eating and drinking areas.

A welcoming, popular bar, restaurant and hotel offering a range of accommodation and entertainment as well as great pub food, The Moon & Sixpence has implemented a number of sustainable initiatives to drive the pub towards a more sustainable future.

Tony Antoni heads up operations at the pub and it is he who has helped to introduce a greener feel to operations across a number of different areas at the venue.

Timers and/or sensors have been placed on both lighting and equipment to ensure that they are only on when necessary. Food waste is also now composted and sent away to SUEZ, a waste management company.

Furthermore, carbon footprint and sustainable procurement are both incredibly important to Tony and there are few that could say that they generate less miles than him at The Moon & Sixpence, with all of their foods delivered from local farms and butchers located within 12 miles of the venue.

The pub’s sustainability agenda is constantly reviewed in team meetings, with Tony insisting that he has full buy in from all his staff. All but one of the team currently walk to work, with this actively encouraged across the business.

Sustainable changes have meant cost saving on utilities for Tony and the team, along with an increased community feel. We are delighted to add them to our ever-growing list of sustainability champion and hope that the local and wider community follow their efforts closely.

You can view The Moon & Sixpence website here.

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