Brook Hotels Corporate & Social Responsibility

Our environment. Our responsibility.

Brook Hotels corporate responsibility policy sets out the principle and standards for the company. All staff at each of our hotels is required to comply with the policy.

Access for all

Brook Hotels understands that every customer has different needs and we aim to make our hotel facilities available and accessible to all of our guests equally. In rare instances where this is not possible we will endeavour to offer a range of facilities for guests with a perspective on disability including:

• Designated car parking, accessible entrance, WC, accessible bedrooms
• Assistance Dogs Welcome

Community support

Brook Hotels is very supportive of local community projects in each hotel’s region and assistance to local charities. Each request is given due consideration. We also operate environmental impact programmes for each hotel. All activities, donations and sponsorships raised by customer, suppliers and staff will contribute to the Company's objective of supporting local charities.

Standards Management

Brook Hotels develop and maintain an adequately documented environmental recording and reporting system. Ensure that the implications for the environment are taken into consideration in all major business decisions. Develop and thereafter maintain a record of formal written comments concerning environmental performance and set targets for their reduction. Assess the business regularly for compliance with this policy.

Greenhouse Gases

Reduce the use of energy through awareness programmes and through designing efficiency into new buildings, equipment, travel and transport and other working practices. Set a target for the reduction of energy consumption. Monitor, report and update regularly.

Resources

Reduce the use of water and materials through awareness programmes and through designing efficiency into new buildings, equipment and working practices. Set a target for the reduction of water consumption. Monitor, report and update this annually. Reduce, reuse or recycle solid waste where economically and environmentally sensible. When these options are not available, dispose of solid waste in the most environmentally responsible manner. Set targets for the reduction of waste produced. Monitor, report and update these annually. The following is a selection of initiatives that Brook Hotels adopt to help reduce, re-use and recycle:

• Re-use of furniture and fittings after our refurbishments by donating to local charities and businesses.
• Installation of low energy light bulbs
• Favour supplies derived from recycled materials or renewable resources
• Reduce teh amount of deliveries to the hotels

Daily actions

On a day to day basis the teams in all Brook Hotels take the following actions in their contribution to helping the environment

• Recycling of Paper, Plastic, Card board, Glass, CD’s, Polythene Wrappers, Mobile Phones, Polystyrene, Waste Cooking Oil, Toner Cartridges and Dry Cleaning Coat Hangers, whenever operationally and economically viable
• Re-use towels on guest request
• Provide newspapers on request to avoid wastage and recycle any spares
• Daily monitor water/gas/electricity consumption to aid reducing consumption levels
• Bulk purchase of chemicals
• Chemical dosage dispensers
• Encourage car share
• Encourage local transport and provide information on their facilities
• Purchase recycled goods where possible
• Provide environmental awareness and training as part of the new staff induction programme
• Use conference call phones between properties to minimise travel

Hazardous substances

Reduce the use of hazardous or non-degradable chemicals. We will work with our supplier partners to encourage use of environmentally friendly soaps and detergents for laundering bed linen and towels. Where the use of such substances is unavoidable, train staff in their handling and disposal and take precautions to minimise the impact of spillage Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances in supplied packaging materials, refrigerants and fire suppression systems by specifying new equipment that is free of such materials and replacing existing systems as directed by legislation.

Working with our local communities

Reduce as far as commercially practicable the level of harmful or nuisance emissions. Carry on business in a responsible manner with due regard to the hotels' immediate environment, particularly at unsociable hours and in relation to noise, odour, lighting, litter, uncollected waste or deliveries and collections. Maintain building exteriors, outdoor equipment and grounds to create a positive visual impact within the hotels' community. Introduce contingency plans for major incidents to reduce their environmental impact.

Local Support

A selection of actions of ways in which we support our local environment, services and suppliers:

• Provide information to guests on walks, wildlife and parks
• Provide information to guests on walking & jogging tours running from the hotels
• Organised biking clubs to run from the hotels and provide cycle hire information to guests
• Provide local transport services information to our staff and guests
• Work closely with golf courses to promote their facilities