Lainston House is a certified B Corporation having met rigorous social and environmental standards and represents their commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit. Currently, there are only around 400 B Corps in the UK and 4,000 worldwide.

Here are a few projects the team at Lainston House are working on:

• Coppicing some hazel in their woodland creating a sustainable way to provide timber. It also helps to increase woodland biodiversity. With light penetrating the canopy other plant species are encouraged to grow,  which in turn attracts more insects providing more food for birds and mammals.

• Creating their own home-grown and locally produced apple juice. The team are really excited to have produced 320 litres of juice from the 20 plus varieties of apple trees at the hotel.

• Using saved toilet rolls as root trainers to grow sweet peas.   These will be compared to those sown in plastic root trainers.

• Repurposing the pallet crates in which firewood is delivered to make compost bins for the kitchen garden. The next stage will be for Lainston House to produce their own compost, eliminating the need to source it from elsewhere and at the same time being able to use up green waste from the kitchens and stop it from going to landfill.

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Earthian Zero Waste Shop 

Holding the fort as the only plastic free zero waste shop locally, Earthian strives to not just help customers reduce waste at home, but also to be a zero-landfill business.

Earthian Zero Waste Shop uses Zedify to deliver their products in a planet saving way via e-cargo bikes.

Earthian Zero Waste Shop is officially carbon neutral! Read more here.

 

 

 

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The Handlebar Cafe 

Since opening in 2019, The Handlebar Café has had sustainability at its heart. Situated at the foot of St Catherine’s Hill, the café was born through a group of local teenagers in a project called SPUD Youth.

The café is made with Accoya wood, which is FSC certified.  This wood is sustainable fast-growing and outperforms man-made carbon-polluting alternatives. The café has been described as a ‘model of sustainability’ and not only looks great, but is also truly carbon neutral in its construction, leading to a ‘highly commended’ in the 2020 Wood Awards.

The building is unheated and uses LED lighting throughout, reducing both energy consumption and emission of greenhouse gases. This is further enhanced by shutters on its western side that reduce solar gain in the afternoon heat.

Inside the café, the owners work to reduce food miles by using quality local suppliers, such as Judes for ice cream and Carolyn Breakwell for cakes. Any food leftovers are converted into soup and they use compostable takeaway cups and plates. They even have a ‘Bike Fix-It’ station providing essential tools and a pump.

The location of the café between the South Winchester Park and Ride and the city centre makes it a popular destination for leisure users travelling via the Viaduct Cycle Path.

The Handlebar Café was a finalist in the 2023 Winchester Business Excellence Awards in the category of Sustainable Business.

P&G Wells

Having sold books in Winchester since 1729, P&G Wells is the oldest shop in the city, holding local authors close to its heart. This has been the root of the business since Jane Austen spent the last few weeks of her life just two doors away.

They offer free delivery, with orders over £30 to SO22 and SO23, which they carry out by foot or bike to reduce costs and help cut carbon emissions.

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Meon Valley Butchers

Meon Valley Butchers has adapted and evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic into a business that they feel can survive in the long term. As well as upgrading to a digital customer system, they launched The Pantry, an e-commerce platform, quickly becoming local heroes by delivering products free of charge to local neighbourhoods during the lockdowns. Meon Valley Butchers now deliver nationally.

The team also support local events, donate to homeless charities, and work hard to ensure they put money back into the local economy and support the local farms with which they are partnered.

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Anyfish

Adapting and advancing to match consumer needs, Anyfish boasts a whole team of experts. From producing their very own ready-meal range, and smoking all the locally sourced fish themselves... they also stock locally produced deli products.

Recently the business has diversified into providing a charter boat called Dotty offering fishing trips, day cruises and celebrations whilst exploring Chichester.

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By Ross Garcia

By Ross Garcia is all about supporting other independent businesses to enhance the local economy, such as their coffee beans.

Also protecting the planet is close to the heart of the business, which proudly uses eco-friendly towels, renewable energy, and locally sourced sustainable products made from ocean waste plastics.

 

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Susie Watson Designs

In addition to selling a wide range of products, Susie Watson Designs in Alresford offers an interior design service. This can be from the beginning of a project, or mid-way through if advice is required.

Engaging with customers to bring a personal touch is Susie Watson Designs’ unique selling point.

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Cabinet Rooms

A quirky, family-run café-bar, known for its cosy atmosphere and cakes made by the owners’ mum, they also offer customers a free water bottle refill. 

The Cabinet Rooms also play host to tasting events, and book clubs, adding personality to this family focused business.

 

If your business offers a new initiative or lessons for other businesses, please get in touch with our Sector Project Officer, to be considered for inclusion on this page: contact Emily Reason: ereason@winchester.gov.uk.