Southport’s burgeoning reputation as an eco-friendly destination has been boosted after a hotel with “sustainability at its heart” became the latest business to scoop a coveted Green Tourism Award.
Raising a recyclable glass, delighted officials at The Vincent said embracing sustainability was crucial for any business with the green focus not only good for the planet but something more & more of our customers expect.
The 59-bedroom hotel based on Lord Street was awarded the coveted Silver Award by Green Tourism.
Acknowledged worldwide as “an indicator of good environmentally-friendly practice” and “hallmark of green quality” the awards are only issued once businesses prove they are meeting wide-ranging and strict criteria in areas ranging from food and drink, health and well-being to food waste practices and biodiversity.
The success of the hotel, whose green credentials include everything from sourcing food and wine locally, minimising its use of plastic to using recyclable soap bottles in bedrooms, comes amid a growing sustainability focus across Southport.
And the award comes hot on the heels of Green Tourism awards awarded in 2023 to fellow Marketing Southport members Sunnyside guesthouse (Gold) and the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Southport Club Campsite (Silver)
Jolene Vernon, the Sales, Events & Revenue Manager at The Vincent Hotel, said: “We are all delighted to get this award. It is not just good for the planet but for our business by proving our sustainable commitment to our customers as the conversation around sustainability is ever growing.
“We are fortunate to be quite a new hotel – 17 years-old – so our building lends itself to accessibility and sustainability. We are increasingly receiving more and more enquiries from clients who ask if we have got a sustainability policy. With accommodation bookings, customers often ask about sustainability and what we have in place, with booking websites highlighting any hotels Green Accreditations received – it’s definitely a growing market.”
The hotel sources food locally “wherever possible” and ensures menus are updated regularly to include a selection of gluten-free and vegan options including in the award-winning V Café & Restaurant.
Banning paper plates and cups in the boardroom in favour of crockery and glass, minimising printing and recycling batteries and lightbulbs are just a few of the other green measures the hotel has in place.
“It is the future and more and more are embracing green tourism. It’s not an optional thing, the demand is there. We have got this award and I am sure more will follow suit.
“There is a lot of collaboration in Southport and Anthony Duffey, co-owner of Sunnyside B&B was kind enough to offer his advice and support when we were going through the accreditation process.
“We are over the moon. Originally, we only set out with bronze in mind. We’re just going to sit back and enjoy the silver for a little bit and then maybe move on. But we are not ruling out going for gold!”
The Green Tourism Award completes a hat-trick of awards for the hotel which was named Hotel or Guest House of the Year and Business of The Year at Southport BID’s Your Southport Stars Awards 2024.
Details on accommodation, days out and events in Southport can be found here visitsouthport.com.
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