Every Friday The Press & Journal publishes a weekly round-up of some of the many positive business stories from across the north and north-east.
Here are some of this week’s highlights.
The Chester Hotel outlines commitment to sustainability
The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen has launched a section on its website devoted to outlining its commitment to sustainability as it becomes a Scottish Living Wage employer.
According to The United Nations World Tourism Organisation, hotels are accountable for one percent of all global emissions.
The Chester Hotel general manager Stephen Gow said: “It’s not a trend for us – it’s our way of operating our hotel for today and the future.
“We’ve devoted as much space on our website to sustainable as we do to either dining or rooms, demonstrating the importance of sustainability to our entire business.”
The hotel is phasing out single use plastics such as bedroom toiletries and single use condiment sachets.
Housekeeping protocols now see sheets changed on the fourth night of a stay and conference and event guests have refillable glass bottles on tables, some staff have recycled fibre uniforms and, guests use key cards made from eco-friendly FSC approved wood fibre board rather than plastic which are reusable and recyclable.
Local suppliers include Katy’s Eggs in Torphins, Caber Coffee, asparagus from Eassie Farm by Glamis, Castleton Farm by Fourdon, United Wine Suppliers and Six Degrees North in Aberdeen.
Toiletries from Gordon Castle by Fochabers are being phased in. Guests’ soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion all contain pure natural essential oils from the plants and flowers grown in their walled garden.
Top award for Scottish Sea Farms
Scottish Sea Farms has been awarded Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for its Summer Isles farms, the first time the company has achieved the coveted accreditation.
For a farm to gain certification, it must be independently audited and assessed as meeting each requirement and reassessed annually to maintain the ASC endorsement.
Scottish Sea Farms’ aquaculture technical lead Anna Price said: “Gaining our first certification is the culmination of two years’ hard work, involving several different departments and functions.
“It wasn’t that we weren’t already farming to high standards; in every instance we were. However, there was still a considerable amount of work involved in evidencing and reworking our processes and procedures.”
Work is now underway to achieve chain of custody certification for the company’s processing and packing facility in Scalloway.
The next farm earmarked for certification is Lober Rock in Orkney.
Oven valeting services in demand
The cost-of-living crisis is generating new business for oven valeting service Ovenu Stonehaven.
As people in the Aberdeenshire tighten their belts in response to rising inflation and spiralling energy costs, business owner Ross Walker says he has seen an increasing trend of clients buying a used cooker or oven.
He said: “The increase in the cost of living has persuaded people to buy a used cooker or, if moving home, they will keep hold of a left-behind appliance when previously it would have been replaced with a new one.
“The cost of a new cooker can be prohibitive, so buying used and having it professionally cleaned and returned to near showroom condition is a cost-effective option for those determined to keep their expenditure down.”
Do you have a story you want to tell us about? Email business@ajl.co.uk
Conversation