As sustainability becomes more ingrained in the events
industry, organisers are calling for greener venues, and “heritage venues
should be top of the list,” said Sandeep Singh, managing director of Athena
Events Venue in Leicester. Here’s why…
Inherently sustainable
Historic venues tend to be inherently environmentally
sustainable, with high levels of embodied energy.
If we view sustainability as the reduction of environmental
impact by not using non-renewable resources, then arguably heritage
preservation and renovation is the most sustainable option. Through new uses,
it lengthens the lifespan of a building; reduces demolition energy and landfill
waste; conserves embodied energy; and cuts the energy and waste that comes with
the construction of replacement buildings. It also preserves the creativity,
skill, identity, and history, which are woven into the fabric of a venue’s
design.
This is the case with Athena, an Art Deco former Odeon
cinema, built in the 1930s as an extravagant landmark building. It has been
restored – with sustainability in mind – to its former glory and has taken on a
new life as a distinctive and memorable venue for events and awards.
Reuse and recycle
The most sustainable thing the UK can do is not erect new
buildings, but instead, reuse and adapt what we already have. For heritage
venues with listed status or period features that cannot be altered, many have
been restored and refurbished in line with today’s sustainability standards.
For example, at Athena, modern facilities and new
energy-efficient tech have been installed, such as energy-efficient LED
lighting. This has reduced energy consumption and improved lighting for guests.
All kitchen equipment is energy efficient, and food is sourced from local
Leicester-based providers to reduce emissions and contribute to helping local
businesses thrive.
Single-use plastic has been replaced where possible,
including in confetti canyons, which now use paper confetti instead.
Next on the list for Athena is the installation of solar
panels.
Sustainability lessons from history
There are lessons to be learned on sustainability and energy
efficiency from older buildings, too. Many were designed and built to work with
their local climate.
For example, the high thermal mass of stone buildings helps
to retain warmth in winter, and cold in summer. Old buildings, when properly
renovated or restored, can use less energy than new buildings that can have challenges
such as over-glazing and ventilation fans that need to be on all day. Going
beyond the building Sustainability goes beyond the building itself, of course.
Every venue should have a comprehensive sustainability
policy in place. Food waste, for example, is a huge priority for Athena, which
caters to large numbers of corporate awards and events throughout the year.
To tackle this, the venue has partnered with local waste
management companies to ensure waste is sorted correctly and disposed of in an
environmentally responsible manner. Venues should actively encourage clients to
make sustainable choices, too. Athena's events team proactively limits food
waste by closely working with clients to ensure they know exactly how many
meals to prepare for an event.
Athena also encourages its staff to take an active role in
sustainability, with all employees using public transport to get to work. Other
sustainable initiatives include going paperless, using biodegradable
disposables such as paper cups, straws, and bamboo/cardboard food takeaway
containers.
The venue is also moving away from single-use plastics to
reusable cups for events where glassware isn’t permitted. As a business, we
feel it is our duty to protect the environment and contribute to the fight against
climate change. Our commitment to sustainability aligns with our values, and we
are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community today, and in the
future.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
