21/03/2005
VENUS DELIGHT IN ROYAL AWARD
A leading West Country Beach Café and Shop operator, the Venus Company Ltd, is celebrating being honoured this week with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2005. The Queen’s Awards are the most prestigious awards for business performance in the UK.
Founded by Michael and Louisa Smith with Lee Porter in 1995, the Venus Company receives the Award for providing the best al fresco Mediterranean style dining experience in a UK beach setting whilst integrating environmental and social care into every business decision.
The firm operates the Venus Café and Beach Shop at the beaches of Blackpool Sands, and East Portlemouth and the Venus Café at Bigbury on Sea –all in the South Hams of South Devon. Last year, the Company expanded into Cornwall with a £250,000 Venus Café and Shop investment at Tolcarne Beach in Newquay.
“This just has to be the best news of all for The Venus Company” said Michael Smith, managing director. “The Queen’s Award is an amazing accolade for a small family firm such as ours and recognises the hard work of everyone, especially our managers and their teams who continually drive a professional approach and deliver a quality customer experience”.
Mr Smith added: “Taking care of the environment is an integral part of our business philosophy. The Venus motto “loving the beach” is fundamental to our continued
business success and steady sales growth. The Royal endorsement supports our mission to be the greenest beach café and shop operator in Europe”. CONTD/
The Venus Company serves local and organic produce to over 500,000 customers a year, has a turnover topping the £1m mark and employs a core group of 15 full time employees, supplemented by a 30 strong pool of seasonal staff and part time summer catering staff with special needs.
1. Additional background information
The Venus Company was founded in 1995 by Michael and Louisa Smith and Lee Porter.
It commenced trading on a famous UK beach which had been owned and operated by Louisa Smith's family for over 400 years. From the outset, they decided to create a quality concept in the service, food and retail goods provided which encompassed their keen interest in environmental issues and the desire to use as much organic and local produce as possible.
This concept was to set Venus apart from the standard beach offering in the UK. Once the operational elements were achieved, the company started to enhance the product offering through organic and local purchasing.
The business aimed to bring the professionalism of the High Street to stunning beach settings and to acknowledge corporate responsibility towards achieving positive environmental impacts and community benefits.
The first Venus Beach Café and Shop was opened at Blackpool Sands, near Dartmouth on the South Devon coast, followed two years later at East Portlemouth, opposite the beautiful town of Salcombe on the Kingsbridge/ Salcombe Estuary. Café number three, acquired in 1999 at
Bigbury on Sea with a 25 year lease, was the first café built to Michael Smith’s specification with environmental efficiency taken into account.
In 2002, the Venus Beach Shop at Blackpool Sands was redeveloped sympathetically to sell quality clothing in addition to most things that a family would want for a day on a beach – bucket, spades, wetsuits, boogie boards, clothes and inflatables. Local suppliers were used e.g. wetsuits (Sola from Cornwall) and an environmental and ethical stance taken in respect of certain products. Hence, no sea shells are sold nor suntan lotions with less than factor 15 sun screening.
Customer research at the three Devon beach locations from April to October 2003 showed that 99% of customers viewed the Venus Cafe experience as outstanding or above average and 82% thought the "Venus" beach much better or better than in the rest of the UK.
The very positive feedback shows that the Venus experience exceeds people's expectations and enhances their family day out at the beach.
With confidence in the concept and the right service product, the natural step was to expand into Cornwall in 2004 with a £250,000 investment in a Venus Café and Shop at Tolcarne Beach at Newquay.
The Venus Company is now a registered brand and trademark, allowing future expansion of the proven right format to the right beach. The continued growth and consumer appreciation of Venus has been driven by the unique proposition being offered at the beaches. Having sustainable development at the core of operating policy is instrumental in creating that difference.
Organic sales growth has enabled the Company to invest in continual improvement programmes out of cash flow. Unlike most beach businesses, Venus provides a year round facility and has extended its season to be able to provide full time employment to local people.
The business now employs a core group of 15 full time employees, supplemented by a 30 strong pool of seasonal staff, mostly students.
The Venus Company has received the following Awards:
2005 South West Beacon Award Company
2004 Business Commitment to the Environment
2003 Devon Environmental Business Initiative
2001-2004 South Hams Green Tourism Business Scheme – Gold
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Examples of environmental and social care business practices include:
Resources
• The Venus commitment in support of its business mission is to strive to minimise the harmful effects and maximise the beneficial influences which company activities have on the environment.
• Emphasis is to reduce use of non –biodegradable plastic packaging ( e.g. plastic straws) and single portions. The Company specifies use of recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, products from recycled paper and sourced only from sustainable forests.
• Glass is not used for obvious safety reasons in a beach location. Organic drinks are purchased in large glass bottles, portioned into biodegradable cups and the glass bottles recycled.
• Aluminium cans were eliminated in 2003 and replaced with bag in box, bulk purchasing and biodegradable cups.
• In any redevelopment, recyclable materials are used and sympathetic landscaping to the immediate environment.
Efficiency
• Venus uses energy efficient equipment, menus and the monitors CO2 emissions per square metre. All activities produce no CO2 emissions.
• Daily electronic monitoring of energy readings are taken for evaluation month by month, year on year.
• Savings of over £3,000 in energy costs in 2002 over 2001 through the installation of savawatt plugs, slimline fluorescent light fittings, motion sensors for lights in store rooms and the use of equipment with dual controls.
• Energy efficient radiant heaters are installed at two Devon sites for use in inclement weather, particularly in winter.
• Equipment is sourced that makes adjustments to use less energy in quiet periods.
• Monitoring of water consumption is metered at Bigbury on Sea, East Portlemouth and Tolcarne. Blackpool Sands uses water from a spring source on site. Usage was first monitored in 2003.
• 900 miles a week of delivery efficiencies have been made in high season since 2001 through improved distribution channels with 30 supplier van deliveries and 30 miles per delivery saved per week to the 3 Devon sites.
Wastes, emissions and pollution
• There is benchmarking of waste between all sites and it is planned to further improve the separation and recycling of waste through the introduction of composting.
• Recycling bins made from old whisky barrels are provided at the Venus Cafes to encourage customers to save re-usable packaging.
• Food waste is monitored on a daily basis with recipe portion controls in place.
• Cardboard is recycled for animal bedding and plastic packaging, used cooking oil egg and pasty boxes recycled.
• Venus uses elemental chlorine free paper and bleach free biodegradable packaging and chlorine and phosphate free cleaning materials to minimise toxic emissions.
• A wide range of environmentally friendly cardboard products, including bleach free bags, wooden cutlery, paper straws and paper cups were introduced in 2002. Venus has never used polystyrene – an example whereby profits have been sacrificed in order to serve a more environmentally friendly product.
• Bulk buying is the Venus norm and items such as sugar served in sugar shakers as opposed to paper sachets so as to cut down on litter.
• Venus minimises light pollution from its business with the elimination of vending machines and installation of low energy opaque external lighting on light and time mechanisms.
Biological diversity & productivity
• The Venus Company has looked at ways of enhancing native species and habitats. All sites strive to conserve the surrounding areas to develop the protection of wildlife.
• Landscaping of the al fresco dining terraces at the Devon sites were undertaken in 2003/2004 using indigenous flora and fauna and reclaimed materials e.g. timbers from Devonport Dockyard were used at Blackpool Sands.
• Venus uses wherever possible, a wide range of local, organic and Fairtrade produced ingredients. The purchasing policy is to buy local, tasty, healthy product rather than the cheapest.
• Venus is a member of Devon Wildlife Trust and with their guidance has introduced this spring, a range of educational colouring sheets for young beach goers, illustrating the marine wildlife found close to the Venus beaches and highlighting the Seashore Code.
Community and Social Dimension
• As well as using local, organic and Fair Trade produce wherever available, annual menu changes offer healthier options to customers with vegan, vegetarians and gluten free choice of products.
• Purchase of local goods and services to an approximate value of £200,000 in 2004.
• Cafes are open daily for 8 months of the year with weekend opening in winter for the benefit of local beach lovers and to help address tourism seasonality.
• Venus is a founder member of the South Hams Green Tourism Business Club and a member of the South Hams Food & Drink Association.
• Recruitment and training of local management and seasonal staff. Training includes induction, health and hygiene, health and safety, operational procedures, risk analysis, environmental management awareness, skills development and management team training and performance planning.
• In 2004, Venus employed two summer part time catering staff with special needs using friendly staff supervision to build trust and confidence at work.
• A quarter of the company’s profit is shared out between Venus management employees.
• Over £15,000 has been raised over 3 years in support of green lanes heritage conservation in the South Hams, equivalent to 300,000 opting to pay 5p on a cup of tea or chocolate flake.
• Employment income over 5 years estimated as a 1.5 million contribution to the local economy.
• The 2004 Venus “Treasure Our Beaches” summer promotion with local schools and museums donated £1000 of school equipment to Manor Primary School in Ivybridge.
• To provide long term support for the tsunami orphans of Aceh, Sumatra, Venus organic Fair Trade coffee comes from an organic single estate in the mountains of Aceh with Venus providing customers with the opportunity to pay a further 5p per cup of filter coffee. All the monies raised will go directly to the “Children of Sumatra” Fund in Aceh. Venus hopes to raise £10,000 over the next 5 years.
21.04.04 Venus Company Ltd
Founded by Michael and Louisa Smith with Lee Porter in 1995, the Venus Company receives the Award for providing the best al fresco Mediterranean style dining experience in a UK beach setting whilst integrating environmental and social care into every business decision.
The firm operates the Venus Café and Beach Shop at the beaches of Blackpool Sands, and East Portlemouth and the Venus Café at Bigbury on Sea –all in the South Hams of South Devon. Last year, the Company expanded into Cornwall with a £250,000 Venus Café and Shop investment at Tolcarne Beach in Newquay.
“This just has to be the best news of all for The Venus Company” said Michael Smith, managing director. “The Queen’s Award is an amazing accolade for a small family firm such as ours and recognises the hard work of everyone, especially our managers and their teams who continually drive a professional approach and deliver a quality customer experience”.
Mr Smith added: “Taking care of the environment is an integral part of our business philosophy. The Venus motto “loving the beach” is fundamental to our continued
business success and steady sales growth. The Royal endorsement supports our mission to be the greenest beach café and shop operator in Europe”. CONTD/
The Venus Company serves local and organic produce to over 500,000 customers a year, has a turnover topping the £1m mark and employs a core group of 15 full time employees, supplemented by a 30 strong pool of seasonal staff and part time summer catering staff with special needs.
1. Additional background information
The Venus Company was founded in 1995 by Michael and Louisa Smith and Lee Porter.
It commenced trading on a famous UK beach which had been owned and operated by Louisa Smith's family for over 400 years. From the outset, they decided to create a quality concept in the service, food and retail goods provided which encompassed their keen interest in environmental issues and the desire to use as much organic and local produce as possible.
This concept was to set Venus apart from the standard beach offering in the UK. Once the operational elements were achieved, the company started to enhance the product offering through organic and local purchasing.
The business aimed to bring the professionalism of the High Street to stunning beach settings and to acknowledge corporate responsibility towards achieving positive environmental impacts and community benefits.
The first Venus Beach Café and Shop was opened at Blackpool Sands, near Dartmouth on the South Devon coast, followed two years later at East Portlemouth, opposite the beautiful town of Salcombe on the Kingsbridge/ Salcombe Estuary. Café number three, acquired in 1999 at
Bigbury on Sea with a 25 year lease, was the first café built to Michael Smith’s specification with environmental efficiency taken into account.
In 2002, the Venus Beach Shop at Blackpool Sands was redeveloped sympathetically to sell quality clothing in addition to most things that a family would want for a day on a beach – bucket, spades, wetsuits, boogie boards, clothes and inflatables. Local suppliers were used e.g. wetsuits (Sola from Cornwall) and an environmental and ethical stance taken in respect of certain products. Hence, no sea shells are sold nor suntan lotions with less than factor 15 sun screening.
Customer research at the three Devon beach locations from April to October 2003 showed that 99% of customers viewed the Venus Cafe experience as outstanding or above average and 82% thought the "Venus" beach much better or better than in the rest of the UK.
The very positive feedback shows that the Venus experience exceeds people's expectations and enhances their family day out at the beach.
With confidence in the concept and the right service product, the natural step was to expand into Cornwall in 2004 with a £250,000 investment in a Venus Café and Shop at Tolcarne Beach at Newquay.
The Venus Company is now a registered brand and trademark, allowing future expansion of the proven right format to the right beach. The continued growth and consumer appreciation of Venus has been driven by the unique proposition being offered at the beaches. Having sustainable development at the core of operating policy is instrumental in creating that difference.
Organic sales growth has enabled the Company to invest in continual improvement programmes out of cash flow. Unlike most beach businesses, Venus provides a year round facility and has extended its season to be able to provide full time employment to local people.
The business now employs a core group of 15 full time employees, supplemented by a 30 strong pool of seasonal staff, mostly students.
The Venus Company has received the following Awards:
2005 South West Beacon Award Company
2004 Business Commitment to the Environment
2003 Devon Environmental Business Initiative
2001-2004 South Hams Green Tourism Business Scheme – Gold
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Examples of environmental and social care business practices include:
Resources
• The Venus commitment in support of its business mission is to strive to minimise the harmful effects and maximise the beneficial influences which company activities have on the environment.
• Emphasis is to reduce use of non –biodegradable plastic packaging ( e.g. plastic straws) and single portions. The Company specifies use of recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, products from recycled paper and sourced only from sustainable forests.
• Glass is not used for obvious safety reasons in a beach location. Organic drinks are purchased in large glass bottles, portioned into biodegradable cups and the glass bottles recycled.
• Aluminium cans were eliminated in 2003 and replaced with bag in box, bulk purchasing and biodegradable cups.
• In any redevelopment, recyclable materials are used and sympathetic landscaping to the immediate environment.
Efficiency
• Venus uses energy efficient equipment, menus and the monitors CO2 emissions per square metre. All activities produce no CO2 emissions.
• Daily electronic monitoring of energy readings are taken for evaluation month by month, year on year.
• Savings of over £3,000 in energy costs in 2002 over 2001 through the installation of savawatt plugs, slimline fluorescent light fittings, motion sensors for lights in store rooms and the use of equipment with dual controls.
• Energy efficient radiant heaters are installed at two Devon sites for use in inclement weather, particularly in winter.
• Equipment is sourced that makes adjustments to use less energy in quiet periods.
• Monitoring of water consumption is metered at Bigbury on Sea, East Portlemouth and Tolcarne. Blackpool Sands uses water from a spring source on site. Usage was first monitored in 2003.
• 900 miles a week of delivery efficiencies have been made in high season since 2001 through improved distribution channels with 30 supplier van deliveries and 30 miles per delivery saved per week to the 3 Devon sites.
Wastes, emissions and pollution
• There is benchmarking of waste between all sites and it is planned to further improve the separation and recycling of waste through the introduction of composting.
• Recycling bins made from old whisky barrels are provided at the Venus Cafes to encourage customers to save re-usable packaging.
• Food waste is monitored on a daily basis with recipe portion controls in place.
• Cardboard is recycled for animal bedding and plastic packaging, used cooking oil egg and pasty boxes recycled.
• Venus uses elemental chlorine free paper and bleach free biodegradable packaging and chlorine and phosphate free cleaning materials to minimise toxic emissions.
• A wide range of environmentally friendly cardboard products, including bleach free bags, wooden cutlery, paper straws and paper cups were introduced in 2002. Venus has never used polystyrene – an example whereby profits have been sacrificed in order to serve a more environmentally friendly product.
• Bulk buying is the Venus norm and items such as sugar served in sugar shakers as opposed to paper sachets so as to cut down on litter.
• Venus minimises light pollution from its business with the elimination of vending machines and installation of low energy opaque external lighting on light and time mechanisms.
Biological diversity & productivity
• The Venus Company has looked at ways of enhancing native species and habitats. All sites strive to conserve the surrounding areas to develop the protection of wildlife.
• Landscaping of the al fresco dining terraces at the Devon sites were undertaken in 2003/2004 using indigenous flora and fauna and reclaimed materials e.g. timbers from Devonport Dockyard were used at Blackpool Sands.
• Venus uses wherever possible, a wide range of local, organic and Fairtrade produced ingredients. The purchasing policy is to buy local, tasty, healthy product rather than the cheapest.
• Venus is a member of Devon Wildlife Trust and with their guidance has introduced this spring, a range of educational colouring sheets for young beach goers, illustrating the marine wildlife found close to the Venus beaches and highlighting the Seashore Code.
Community and Social Dimension
• As well as using local, organic and Fair Trade produce wherever available, annual menu changes offer healthier options to customers with vegan, vegetarians and gluten free choice of products.
• Purchase of local goods and services to an approximate value of £200,000 in 2004.
• Cafes are open daily for 8 months of the year with weekend opening in winter for the benefit of local beach lovers and to help address tourism seasonality.
• Venus is a founder member of the South Hams Green Tourism Business Club and a member of the South Hams Food & Drink Association.
• Recruitment and training of local management and seasonal staff. Training includes induction, health and hygiene, health and safety, operational procedures, risk analysis, environmental management awareness, skills development and management team training and performance planning.
• In 2004, Venus employed two summer part time catering staff with special needs using friendly staff supervision to build trust and confidence at work.
• A quarter of the company’s profit is shared out between Venus management employees.
• Over £15,000 has been raised over 3 years in support of green lanes heritage conservation in the South Hams, equivalent to 300,000 opting to pay 5p on a cup of tea or chocolate flake.
• Employment income over 5 years estimated as a 1.5 million contribution to the local economy.
• The 2004 Venus “Treasure Our Beaches” summer promotion with local schools and museums donated £1000 of school equipment to Manor Primary School in Ivybridge.
• To provide long term support for the tsunami orphans of Aceh, Sumatra, Venus organic Fair Trade coffee comes from an organic single estate in the mountains of Aceh with Venus providing customers with the opportunity to pay a further 5p per cup of filter coffee. All the monies raised will go directly to the “Children of Sumatra” Fund in Aceh. Venus hopes to raise £10,000 over the next 5 years.
21.04.04 Venus Company Ltd