Showcasing the Best of Welsh Business

Wales Celebrates Its First Carbon Free Restaurant

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The Paddock Inn and Bakery in Pembrokeshire, through support from Business Wales, has responded to the Welsh Government declaration of a climate emergency in the best way possible, by becoming Wales’ first carbon-free certified restaurant.

Owned and operated by Carl Willett and Paul Cinderey, the ambition was to run a successful business that would also be as kind to the environment as possible. The challenge has been met by working in partnership with Carbon Free Dining and the Green Earth Appeal charity which sees diners pay an optional 99p on their food bill which goes towards planting a fruit tree in the developing world, which in turn offsets the carbon produced in preparing their meal.

The fruit tree provides work, income, education and a sustainable future to its communities whilst also removing one tonne of carbon from the atmosphere through its lifetime. It also encourages new life into deforested land by encouraging water up through the soil and making it productive again.

Commenting on their desire to work with their diners on being environmentally responsible, Mr Willett says:

“Our approach has been welcomed by our customers and is something they have wholeheartedly embraced. We recognise the way the Welsh Government is quite rightly trying to put the environment high up people’s list of priorities and we feel it is very important that business does its bit to protect the environment. We are therefore delighted with our contribution to the Green Earth Appeal charity and are very proud of what we’ve achieved so far.

“Not only can we say we are a carbon-free certified restaurant but we embrace recycling, ensuring food waste is recycled and is used in making compost, and any left-over bread is donated to community kitchens and food banks.”

The Paddock Inn is housed in a 17th century former farmhouse which was refurbished and reopened in October 2018 with the bakery part of the business launched last month (June 2019). It has become a key part of the community in both the Winter and Summer months when tourism is high in Pembrokeshire.

Adding to their green credentials, the Paddock Inn and Bakery has been recognised by the Great British Pub awards and is currently shortlisted in the “Best Local” category in this year’s awards.

Business Wales, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, supports the sustainable growth of small and medium-size enterprises across the country by offering access to information, guidance and business support.

Business News Wales