In order to support local businesses to make positive changes, Vision 21 has secured funding for two Environment Business Advisors to work within Cheltenham and Gloucester for a period of six months.The advisors are available to visit businesses and make suggestions on how to green up and save money. They will be visiting various businesses from pubs and restaurants to estate agents and opticians. An energy audit will be carried out and they can look at bills to try and save money. At no point is there a cost for this service. The project runs until mid September.
With Cheltenham Business Pride demonstrating the council’s commitment to local businesses, the Environmental Champions project is also great way for local companies to get involved with the ‘green agenda’.
In 2008 this training was offered for the first time with BMW, Paragon Laundry, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Borough Homes, and Heath Avery Architects all signing up a selected a member of staff to attend this half day training session. The event works to motivate and enable them to become an Environmental Champion for their work place thus reducing their emissions and making financial savings.
The training will run again this year on Tuesday July 6th from 12.50 pm – 5pm at The University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham .
The interactive and stimulating session will examine the complex issues of climate change, including how business both has an impact on our climate and how climate change will in turn have an impact on business. The champions will also be given practical support, over future weeks, that will help reduce the impact of, and lead to savings in transport, procurement and energy. This is likely to involve site visits and/or remote support.
There are many interconnected reasons for taking voluntary action to combat climate change; it may be to improve the balance sheet – since saving energy and resources, saves money. This issue has been bought into focus with the credit crunch and the possibility of a recession looming. Improving your green credentials can also create competitive advantage in a crowded market place and satisfy growing customer demand or shareholder pressure.
Graham Philpot, Economic Development Officer of Cheltenham Borough Council said “This opportunity gives local businesses the confidence to actively seek change where it is needed and make a difference. With the introduction of these specially chosen Environmental Champions, they should have the necessary skills in place to help reduce the impact of climate change and offer savings in transport, procurement and energy to the local economy. Thanks to the efforts of these champions, everyone will be able to benefit.”
If you would like more information please contact Vision 21 on 01242 224321
Further information:
Vision 21 (Gloucestershire) promotes local solutions to the global sustainability issues of climate change, peak oil, ecological debt, ecosystem destruction, food and water security. It works within Gloucestershire to change attitudes and behaviour to enable communities to adapt to these issues and live on a sustainable personal carbon allowance and the resources of one planet.
Wedding Venues Can Make or Break Your Day
For those of you whose wedding bill in Cheltenham is becoming increasingly large, fear not as our researchers have found some winning ways to ensure your big day doesn’t leave you in debt for the rest of your life.
Guest List
Think carefully about how many people you wish to invite. Initially the guest list can reach hundreds of people so it’s a good idea to trim this down. Choose a wedding venue in Cheltenham that has a function room maximum capacity that suits your budget, so you don’t have to offend anyone by not inviting them! A good idea is to choose a budget hotel in Cheltenham which normally caters up to 100 – 200 people maximum.
Invitations
Some hotels in Cheltenham can help with the cost of invitations. The Holiday Inn Express brand offers a fantastic customised online invitation tool via a personalised website. You can create your own Wedding Venue Event page which highlights times, itineraries, menus and RSVP options online. Electronically, you can invite all your guests and manage the guest list without spending a penny.
Photography
There’s no need to go overboard with photographers. Many wedding venues in Cheltenham will be happy to snapshot your day and capture the beautifully arranged venue as long as they can use the photos for marketing.
Reception
Choose a budget hotel in Cheltenham to entertain your guests. Although a church hall can be cheaper, a cheap hotel will still provide a wedding function room with a liquor license that you don’t have to fork out for.
Other Wedding Ideas
Many hotels in Cheltenham have prearranged supplier discounts in place so speak to the venue about who they would recommend. A reputable wedding venue in Cheltenham should be able to point you in the direction of good value for money extras such as DJs, flower arrangers and wedding cake suppliers.
Catering
Don’t believe that a cheap hotel in Cheltenham won’t produce great food. Many wedding venues in Cheltenham do not offer an onsite restaurant, and so food has to be brought in by qualified catering companies. This means you are probably getting 5* food in a 3* venue. Speak to your wedding venue contact about negotiating the menu as they will often liaise with the chef on your behalf and negotiate an even better deal.
Honeymoon
When holding your wedding in Cheltenham, it pays to use a well known budget brand hotel. For example, the Holiday Inn Express in Cheltenham offers a Priority Club Reward programme which means you can earn reward points for your booking. These points can be redeemed for free night stays at any of their hotels globally, airmiles or even shopping vouchers – saving you even more on your romantic getaway.
Accommodation
Lastly, by using a cheap hotel in Cheltenham you can rest assured your guests will have a comfortable place to stay after a day of celebration. Remember, you will be in a perfect position to negotiate a good B&B deal with the wedding venue that will put a special rate in place for your guests. Some budget hotels in Cheltenham will even offer a complimentary room for the Bride and Groom.
All in all, we have discovered that by choosing the right wedding venue in Cheltenham, the happiest day of your life doesn’t have to be the most expensive.
Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham has been awarded the Business Pride ‘Business Excellence’ award 2010. The award was for the hotel’s social contribution to the community and involvement in local activities.
The certificate was awarded in recognition of the hotel’s recent contribution of Easter Eggs to Amberley Ridge School, a local school for children with learning difficulties. The presentation also recognised the hotel’s contribution to the Cheltenham business community by bringing businesses together and hosting free networking events.
Jason Hiley, General Manager, and Kimberley Hatherall, Sales & Marketing Manager, were presented the award by the new Mayor, Chancellor Anne Regan at Cheltenham Town Hall. “To be to be recognised out of 19,000 businesses in Cheltenham with this award is remarkable,” says Jason Hiley, General Manager, “…it means that our efforts have been appreciated and have made a real difference. We plan to continue supporting the local region and business community with even more activities this year.”
For more information about this Cheltenham hotel’s recent contributions and activities in the community, please visit www.hiexcheltenham.com
