Investment in property and advice from an experienced landlord has helped a popular pub near Bath to improve its green credentials and save money.
Property experts HPH Commercial Property have embarked on the innovative project working with an existing tenant to upgrade the property, rather than waiting for the end of a lease.
The Wheelwrights Arms in Monkton Combe has reduced its annual energy consumption and carbon footprint by about 30% thanks to a series of improvements made by HPH.
The improvements could also help to deliver an estimated saving of £7,000 in operational costs.
HPH also assisted the Wheelwrights Arms by looking at management practices and finding ways to help the business run more efficiently.
Lindsay Holdoway, Managing Director of HPH, said: “We have 60 years of experience when it comes to managing property and this puts us in a unique position to be able to advise our tenants on the running of their premises.
“This experience, coupled with our commitment to invest, also enables us to take a wider, more strategic approach to property management.
“We are able to think and invest long term – not only what works now for our tenant, but what should we be doing to future-proof the property.”
The Wheelwrights Arms is a four-star country inn with a restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a bar and seven luxury en-suite bedrooms. It features in the 2018 Michelin Guide and the Good Pub Guide.
David Munn, owner of the Wheelwrights Arms said, “We have always had a close working relationship with the team at HPH Commercial Property. As a property landlord they look for ways to help our business to thrive.
“They have offered a wealth of advice and expertise that has helped to ensure our business is running as efficiently as possible, which as a business owner is a real advantage.
“The improvements made by HPH will be of real benefit to our customers. The pub and our rooms will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.”
HPH used consultants Carbon Clear to carry out a review of The Wheelwrights Arms to identify potential savings. Following the review a number of changes were made to the Grade II Listed building to reduce energy consumption, create better performance and lower costs.
To finance the improvements, HPH were assisted by their fund from the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Green Lending Initiative.
The improvements included the installation of a more controlled heating system, so only rooms being used are heated, alongside window film to reduce solar gain in summer and retain heat in winter.
Insulation was increased, all window and door frames were draught proofed and LED lighting was installed throughout the property along with absence switches.
A water audit was undertaken and a Cistermaster control fitted to the men’s toilets which will reduce water consumption.
Further savings were achieved by HPH working with staff at The Wheelwrights Arms who are now able to monitor energy consumption, identifying trends and ongoing issues.
Mr Holdoway, added: “Sustainability is a fundamental part of our business and something we have worked hard towards over the last ten years introducing measures across our property portfolio which lower energy consumption and reduce the use of resources.
“Thanks to this commitment and relentless drive to find improvements in management, technology, services and suppliers we are now able to deliver significantly lower running costs.
“The Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Green Lending Initiative compliments our company ethos and enables us to achieve our ambitions to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.”