22/04/2004
Venus wins 2nd top award for environmental best practice
The Venus Company has scooped a national and its second, major environmental award in just six months.
The Venus Company has won a major commendation in the prestigious Business Commitment to the Environment Awards, the UK’s premier business environment awards.
Stephen Timms, Minister of State for the Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services, presented the award to the Venus Company’s managing director, Michael Smith, at the BCE awards ceremony at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London on Tuesday, April 20.
The BCE awards, now in their 28th year, are organised by Business Commitment to the Environment and recognise and promote environmental best practice across the United Kingdom. AEA Technology plc, Envirowise and Brunswick are the main sponsors.
Organisers received a record number of 185 entries from around Britain. 80 entries were visited with just 13 winning awards. The BCE Awards are one of three feeder schemes to the biennial European environment awards.
The BCE Awards recognise businesses meeting demands of the present without compromising the environment for future generations. Business from across the UK compete to show best practice in areas such as climate change, waste management and resource efficiency and protecting Britain’s countryside and natural resources.
Sir Anthony Cleaver, president of the BCE Awards, said: “"With over three times the number of entries in the previous years, the 2003 awards were very hard to judge. What was particularly pleasing was the range of organisations entering and the diversity of approaches, from technological innovation to dedicated management commitment.
"In the 29 years that these awards have been made, the standard required to win has risen dramatically. We hope that by continuing to encourage such improvements, BCE can play a real part in improving the way British business relates to the environment."
Michael Smith said: “We are honoured to win a prestigious national award such as this and to be in such august company.
“As such, there was some stiff competition with plenty of other companies and organisations from across the country incorporating sound environmental best practice throughout their business.
“Compared with most of the other entrants, we are a small company and we all live and work in an outstandingly beautiful area of the country and we have been very proactive in ensuring that we help to maintain our environment.
The Venus Company, based at Stoke Fleming near Dartmouth, runs a beach café and shop at Blackpool Sands and beach cafes at East Portlemouth and Bigbury on Sea in the South Hams, South Devon and is expanding this summer in Cornwall.
Last November, The Venus Company scooped the highly coveted overall Environmental Award in the 11th Annual Devon Environmental Business Awards presented at County Hall in Exeter as well as winning the category award for Environmental Management. The company is also a Gold Award Winner of the South Hams District Council’s Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Mr Smith added: “Taking care of our environment is an integral part of our business philosophy. It is very much part of all the business decisions we take – our motto ‘loving the beach’ is fundamental to our business success and steady sales growth.
The Venus Company has won a major commendation in the prestigious Business Commitment to the Environment Awards, the UK’s premier business environment awards.
Stephen Timms, Minister of State for the Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services, presented the award to the Venus Company’s managing director, Michael Smith, at the BCE awards ceremony at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London on Tuesday, April 20.
The BCE awards, now in their 28th year, are organised by Business Commitment to the Environment and recognise and promote environmental best practice across the United Kingdom. AEA Technology plc, Envirowise and Brunswick are the main sponsors.
Organisers received a record number of 185 entries from around Britain. 80 entries were visited with just 13 winning awards. The BCE Awards are one of three feeder schemes to the biennial European environment awards.
The BCE Awards recognise businesses meeting demands of the present without compromising the environment for future generations. Business from across the UK compete to show best practice in areas such as climate change, waste management and resource efficiency and protecting Britain’s countryside and natural resources.
Sir Anthony Cleaver, president of the BCE Awards, said: “"With over three times the number of entries in the previous years, the 2003 awards were very hard to judge. What was particularly pleasing was the range of organisations entering and the diversity of approaches, from technological innovation to dedicated management commitment.
"In the 29 years that these awards have been made, the standard required to win has risen dramatically. We hope that by continuing to encourage such improvements, BCE can play a real part in improving the way British business relates to the environment."
Michael Smith said: “We are honoured to win a prestigious national award such as this and to be in such august company.
“As such, there was some stiff competition with plenty of other companies and organisations from across the country incorporating sound environmental best practice throughout their business.
“Compared with most of the other entrants, we are a small company and we all live and work in an outstandingly beautiful area of the country and we have been very proactive in ensuring that we help to maintain our environment.
The Venus Company, based at Stoke Fleming near Dartmouth, runs a beach café and shop at Blackpool Sands and beach cafes at East Portlemouth and Bigbury on Sea in the South Hams, South Devon and is expanding this summer in Cornwall.
Last November, The Venus Company scooped the highly coveted overall Environmental Award in the 11th Annual Devon Environmental Business Awards presented at County Hall in Exeter as well as winning the category award for Environmental Management. The company is also a Gold Award Winner of the South Hams District Council’s Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Mr Smith added: “Taking care of our environment is an integral part of our business philosophy. It is very much part of all the business decisions we take – our motto ‘loving the beach’ is fundamental to our business success and steady sales growth.