Fulfilling their Dream to be Green

The team at Tottington Manor, Henfield hotel, restaurant, and event venue discuss the steps they are taking to reduce its environmental impact, and how joining ‘Our South Downs’ sustainable business network and completing the ‘Green South Downs’ programme is helping them achieve their environmental goals. 

in 2021, when business partners Jamie, Helen, Philip & Steve took over Tottington Manor set in glorious South Downs countryside near Henfield, West Sussex, they had a clear vision. Steve Pomery, Director at Tottington Manor said, “We are all about the experience, providing an exclusive place, to enjoy, relax and celebrate in. Whether that be a couple out for their anniversary, a person staying on business, or a bride and groom celebrating their wedding day, we provide the very best hospitality we can, making each visitors experience special and memorable from the very moment they walk through the door."

Family orientated, dog friendly and well-known for its excellent food, visitors can enjoy the best of Sussex ingredients in the restaurant, a tipple on the beautiful terrace, or a peaceful nights sleep in one of its 12 boutique bedrooms and suites. Business People have all they need under one roof, including access to meeting spaces and first class Wifi and families can come together for celebrations within the event spaces that can host up to 180 people.

Tottington Manor prides itself on bringing together everything you need for a wonderful time, and shares that with many local businesses around it, utilising local suppliers wherever it can. Already a 4 * establishment, and well on it’s way to attaining a 5th , its ethos is all about providing great hospitality. A part of that experience is showcasing that the care and attention put into its offering also extends to protecting the landscape and environment around them. Since taking over the business in 2021, the team have been set on making small changes that in the long term could make a big difference. “We are really good at taking a step back, assessing what we do, and then working together to find a way to change it for the better. A lot of businesses think reducing their environmental impact is all about plastic usage, but it’s about everything, including your supply chains and your people.”

The hotel part of the business provided some quick wins that could be put in place to reduce waste through the business; removing pens and paper from meeting rooms and hotel rooms, and taking out the toiletry miniatures, to replace with Molton Brown dispensers. it then looked to get rid of plastic water bottles, but instead of simply purchasing water in glass bottles, it went one step further by having a Brita water filtration system installed, providing filtered still and sparkling water on demand, that could be bottled on-site. They also choose their suppliers carefully. Opting for UK based companies, or ones as close by as possible – including its telephone supplier who is from a local village! At a networking event in West Sussex, Director Steve was introduced to the ‘Our South Downs’ business network.

Our South Downs was created by The South Downs National Park Authority to bring together businesses just like Tottington Manor and others all across the South Downs, providing a community working together on a quest for sustainability. Completely free to join, this business network delivers a monthly newsletter of tips and information on Net Zero, a way to connect with other local businesses, and a host of other benefits including resources and access to training. “We were quite new to the area when we purchased the business, so ‘Our South Downs’ seemed like an excellent way to be able to work more closely with other businesses in the South Downs National Park, and find out more about what was happening here. Being a network focused on sustainability also provided the opportunity to pick up ideas on other ways we could improve our processes.” Another benefit of being a member of ‘Our South Downs’ is access to the newly launched ’Green South Downs’ scheme – a new sustainability awards programme for businesses.

The scheme which is being launched in partnership with Green Tourism, gives businesses the chance to be recognised for their steps towards helping the environment, as well as a step-by-step bespoke package to help them on their journey including training on sustainability and carbon literacy, as well as strategic support around waste management, climate action, nature, and energy. Tottington Manor were one of nineteen businesses to take part in the pilot of the scheme earlier this year, receiving a bronze award.

“We decided to take part in the scheme as it seemed like the right thing to do for our business to help us justify that the steps we had already taken were the right ones for us, and they were! We got to spend time with businesses facing similar challenges to us, and to talk them through together. The decisions we have made up until now, and that we will make going forward aren’t always going to be easy and will require investment, but making these changes to the way we operate is the right thing to do morally and will result in return later down the line.”

Going forward there is always more to be done, but Tottington Manor is clearly on the right track to setting a great example in hospitality that you can be both sustainable and still provide luxury. It’s biggest challenge is around heating the rooms, but it’s long term plan is to remove the use of oil completely in the premises, opting for electricity which can be generated and controlled in more sustainable ways. “We aim to be as energy efficient and sustainable as we possibly can be” ‘Our South Downs’ can help you achieve your business’ environmental goals.

Join Our South Downs today