CSR and Sustainability

🍽 In 2007, Matt and Nina Bigland opened a Gastro Pub in Kelham Island, Sheffield, where mains cost £15. They now run Blend Family, addressing food insecurity by opening food halls like Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield and Kargo MKT in Manchester, and launching the Blend Culinary Foundation. Expanding globally, they announced Tower Bridge Collective in London, featuring 13 food partners offering diverse dishes.

🏨 B&B Hotels completed refurbishments of seven UK hotels, including Birmingham and Cambridge, over 18 months. The investment program, finished with a showcase in Birmingham, updated guest rooms and communal spaces for simpler, modern designs. Sustainability was prioritized, with certifications from SOCOTEC. CEO Patrick O’Connell praised the team for providing affordable, environmentally mindful hospitality. Founded in 1990, B&B Hotels, owned by Goldman Sachs since 2019, operates over 900 hotels globally, and plans further UK expansion.

🏨 The Wensleydale Hotel in Middleham, owned by the Merchie family since 2019, has been sold to Oliver Kwok after six years. This 18th-century hotel features 17 en suite bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a private dining room. Middleham, known for its horseracing stables, enhances the hotel's attraction. Kwok plans to focus on sustainability while supporting the community. The sale, conducted by Christie and Co, marks their eighth major sale in the Yorkshire Dales' National Park in four years.

📍 The Wesley Camden in London earned a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for its sustainable design and heritage preservation. They use electricity only, eliminating gas, and have installed water-saving devices. Rooms are preheated as needed to conserve energy. Thermal upgrades and bat boxes enhance biodiversity and energy efficiency. Fixtures were chosen per the Green Guide to Specification, preserving elements like parquet flooring and stained glass. The Wesley Camden focuses on sustainability, mirroring its sister hotel in Euston.