Redcoat holiday camp goes green

The Butlins resort in Skegness, has been awarded the Green Tourism Business Scheme’s (GTBS) Gold Award for achievement on sustainability and green issues.

The camp which started the Butlin’s holiday empire, Skegness was the first venture by Billy Butlin into the new and uncharted waters of British holiday camps.

Sitting on 200 acres of a former turnip field, the camp has earned its place in the hearts and minds of British holiday folklore.

When it opened in 1936, this was to be a luxury camp, at prices that working people could afford. Three meals a day, and free entertainment from 35 shillings a week (£1.75).

The capacity was increased from 500 to around 1,200 during the first season, and at the end of the year another £40,000 was invested to build a dining room, theatre and gymnasium and to increase the capacity to 2,000. The camp eventually went on to accommodate close to 10,000 holidaymakers.

It was at 'Skeggie' that Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met to form the Beatles. This was the camp that popularized every form of British holiday cliché from the redcoats to the TV series Hi de Hi. Skegness even gave Des O'Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck, and Michael Barrymore the breaks they needed.

And now ‘Skeggie’ is trendsetting in another area – green holidays

It is the only holiday park in the East Midlands region, joining a select few companies nationwide, including the Savoy Hotel, to be awarded the Gold standard.

Steve Lovering, Technical Services Manager at Butlins, Skegness said: “The team here at Skegness are very proud of being awarded the Gold Standard in these prestigious awards.

“It’s fantastic recognition for all the hard work we’ve put in to reviewing things like our water and energy efficiency.”

Butlins state that it has invested considerable time, effort and financial resources, introduced strong management procedures including comprehensive monitoring of energy, water and waste.
Around £23,000 alone has been invested into additional meters to monitor energy use in the various venues on the resort.

The awards are granted after a rigorous assessment by a qualified grading advisor from the GTBS with those businesses meeting the required standard being awarded a bronze, silver, or gold standard based on their level of achievement.

More Butlin’s history: http://www.butlinsmemories.com/skegness/index.htm
More Green Tourism: http://www.green-business.co.uk/

Valere Tjolle: Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE