GREEN/ETHICAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Park

Sponsored by Furness Building Society

Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Park has been working hard to take action to make sure its business benefits the environment.

This includes becoming Green Small Business Certified, developing an Environmental Management System and Environmental Policy and reviewing its objectives and progress in achieving its goals.

The camping and caravan park run by Susan and Derek Dickson with their son and daughter promotes activities such as recycling, reducing water consumption and protecting wildlife to its guests as well managing the natural environment on the park in a way that is beneficial to insects and wildlife including badgers and buzzards.

The Windermere site has squirrels, roe and red deer, foxes and birds on it. Such are their environmental credentials that the late TV botanist David Bellamy was a fan of Park Cliffe, presenting them with his prestigious Gold Conservation Award for their work in protecting the natural environment.

In recent years Park Cliffe has invested in new technologies and practical solutions to reduce energy use, water consumption and waste throughout the park.

One member of their small team of staff has become a designated ‘green champion’, leading the development of an ethical and sustainable shop on site.

Initiatives also include installing 100kw of solar panels on part of its camping field to power most of the park from renewable energy and gradually installing LED lighting.

The business in Windermere has also purchased two electric vehicles for use around the park and local area and installed two electric vehicle chargers for use by guests.

In addition, it has planted 412 new trees as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, alongside many other energy and waste saving initiatives.

It also raises money for conservation and green charities. This year conservation work on behalf of ospreys and grey seals was among the causes being supported by a raft of fundraising initiatives. With the help of its holiday guests, the family-run business handed over almost £1,500 of donations to Cumbria Wildlife Trust and UNICEF's Ukraine Fund. The cash was raised through a number of projects, including a duck race, and an end-of-season raffle supported by local businesses and park suppliers.

Anthony Kearney, of sponsors Furness Building Society, said: “It’s inspiring to see the level of dedication Park Cliffe has towards sustainability through the implementation of numerous green initiatives. We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations for their much-deserved win. This serves as a testament to their unrelenting efforts towards achieving a greener future.

“Their initiatives, which include recycling, sourcing local produce, and making a significant investment in renewable energy, demonstrate how family-run businesses can lead the way in protecting the environment. We wish them all the best in their continued efforts to help make Cumbria the first net-zero county in the UK.”

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