Posted: 16th January 2016
Shepherd Neame Gets Gold Award for Going Green
Shepherd Neame’s Visitor Centre has been recognised for its eco-conscious efforts with a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
It is the fifth year in a row that the Faversham-based brewery has been accredited by the not-for-profit organisation, which assesses members on their level of environmental sustainability.
Advisors visit Green Tourism members every other year to assess them against a rigorous set of over 60 criteria. Gold Certificates are only given to those businesses viewed as inspirational or outstanding for achieving high standards of sustainability with a strong and broad ethos and excellent examples throughout.
One of Kent’s leading tourism attractions, Shepherd Neame offers award-winning tours and dining experiences, and also hosts corporate and private functions including weddings in its Visitor Centre and Old Brewery Store events venue. Judges praised the brewery for a variety of eco-friendly practices, including introducing a new interactive display to share its green story, introducing a bigger range of recycling bins, and expanding its online booking system so the events team now work in a virtually paperless office. Shepherd Neame also participates in the Big Bus Guide, and works with Southeastern Trains to encourage visitors to use public transport to visit tourism destinations around Kent and East Sussex.
Visitor centre manager Graham Hukins said:
Only three attractions in Kent have been awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, so we are thrilled to be among them, particularly to receive a Gold Certificate. We feel it is really important to ensure that the visitor centre is as sustainable as possible, not only through careful choice of the equipment and resources we use, but by encouraging the team to be aware of ways in which they can personally make a difference.
To book a tour of Shepherd Neame or for more information about other special events, call 01795 542016 or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk