Venus is Over The Moon Again

22nd April 2010

Everyone at West Country based Venus, the UK’s leading beach café and shop operator, is “over the moon, once again” with the news that the company is honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2010. 

Venus was first conferred with a Queen’s Award in 2005 which the company has since held for the last five years.  This prestigious second royal accolade recognises “the company’s impressive commitment to progressing the sustainability of its operations”. The Award citation describes Venus “as a rare example of a sustainable café chain”.

Venus is based near Dartmouth in South Devon with operations at five stunning beach locations: Blackpool Sands, Bigbury on Sea, East Portlemouth in Devon and Tolcarne and Watergate Bay in North Cornwall. 

The company’s business values are based on honesty, integrity, trust, governance and positive only environmental impacts.  When co-founders, Michael and Louisa Smith with Lee Porter, started the business in 1995, the mission was to be the greenest beach café and shop operator.  This remains unchanged today.  Steady business growth and a string of top awards, crowned by the Queen’s Award, are testimonial to the company’s achievements.

The company motto “Loving the beach” is used as a powerful communications tool to engage employees, customers, suppliers and the local community in its sustainable ambitions. 

The Venus team is “over the moon” to receive the Queen’s Award for a second time as Michael Smith, Venus managing director explained:  “It is an incredible achievement for everyone that is involved with the company. We try to be open with everyone we come into contact with as to what we are trying to do and we seek their support. This approach has been hugely important in developing our green quality concept.

“So my thanks go to our customers, suppliers and local community that have all helped us along the way.  Not least, our loyal and brilliant staff team.  Everyone contributes towards Venus’ environmental care and performance and winning this Award for a second time, testifies to their passion and commitment in greening the business operations.  Theirs is a key role in helping to safe guard our very beautiful beaches and environment for the enjoyment of this and future generations.”

Customers play their part too. Over five years, customers helped Venus raise over £30,000 for green lanes heritage conservation in South Devon through 5p voluntary donations on a cup of tea or chocolate flake.  A unique, long term management agreement with Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts has raised £24,000 over the last four years through the Venus Beach Wildlife Fund. The fund pays for primary school visits to Venus beaches to encourage a better understanding of beach and marine wildlife habitats.
 
The Queen’s Award cites the company’s demonstration of “extremely positive stakeholder engagement and industrial networking” and its promotion of “sustainable business practice among its peers”.  Suppliers are chosen on their own environmental and ethical values. Venus has grown its Devon and Cornish food and drink products by 100% since 2004 and now uses over 70 quality food and drink suppliers from the two counties. 

The company serves local and organic produce to over 650,000 customers a year and spends approximately £500,000 per annum on local goods and services.  Venus turnover tops the £1.5m mark and employs a core group of 17 full time employees supplemented by a 45 strong pool of seasonal staff and part time summer catering staff.  Venus is a registered brand and trademark, allowing future expansion of the proven right format to the right beach.

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