Green turns gold in award success
A company committed to brewing proper beer and saving the planet in equal measure has added another accolade to its great green credentials.
Ulverston-based Lakeland Brewhouse was named Eco Business Innovator of the Year at the prestigious Cumbria Food Awards (CFA) which applauded its 100 percent renewable power and overriding commitment to sustainability.
Managing director Kirsty Ridge said she was delighted with the Cumbria Eco-I North West honour, which has followed a £250,000 investment in the company, and an increase in production of more than 600 percent.
She added: “As a business we are passionate about doing what we can to minimise our impact on the environment.
“We’re on a journey and committed to always being better, because we believe it is the responsibility of all businesses to do so.
“The team is delighted with the award; it is recognition of the work we do to be a greener business whilst maintaining our focus on excellent beers and customer service.”
CFA, held at Kendal College, recognised big contributions from the food and drink industry during challenging times and was hosted by Hairy Biker Dave Myers. It included 13 categories with one of three special awards given by University of Cumbria backed Eco-I NW.
Cumbria’s project lead Mike Siddall explained it had been the perfect opportunity to showcase a sector which was working hard to protect the environment it loved.
He said: “Cumbria has earned itself the reputation of being the food county outside London with its impressive string of Michelin stars and acclaimed restaurants and producers.
“CFA has provided a powerful platform to share the successes and reward amazing effort. Lakeland Brewhouse is a very deserving winner because of what it has achieved and the example it sets.
“We really liked the holistic low-carbon approach, which saw traditional elements of the company maintained alongside innovation in other areas. From the use of renewable energy and carbon offsetting to support of community and local jobs, sustainability is at the heart of this company.
“We wish it every future success, particularly as we work towards the county being carbon neutral by 2037.”
Cumbria Eco-I NW is a pioneering project offering free expertise from world-class academics, researchers and high-level degree students, on a scale never seen before, to cut greenhouse gases with help targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises.
Mr Siddall said the food and drink sector was the lifeblood of the county and many operators were working hard to reduce or eliminate their carbon footprint.
He added: “However, bringing excellent ideas to fruition can be hard and that’s where we come in, offering a roadmap to a carbon-free future through a range of practical research, support and events.
“From carbon audits on operations and supply chains to waste management, our scope is tremendous. We are proud to be taking a significant role in the green revolution as we transition towards zero carbon.”
Partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Eco-I NW is a £14 million research and development partnership of six universities designed to stimulate growth and cut CO2e emissions by 3,850 tonnes, with a significant slice from Cumbria.
Participating universities: Cumbria, Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Met.
www.cumbria.ac.uk/business/eco
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Picture shows from left Cumbria Food Awards host Dave Myers with Callum O’Hare and Kirsty Ridge, of Lakeland Brewhouse, winners of the Eco Business Innovator of the Year Award, with sponsor, Mike Siddall of Eco-I North West. Credit Harry Atkinson