Sustainability and Positive Social Impact
CGI of Avenue of Native Cherry Trees being planted at Copdock Hall in early 2025.
Our Journey at Xenia Venues
At Xenia Venues, we're passionate about creating beautiful spaces for celebrations, but we're equally committed to doing so in a way that respects our planet and contributes positively to our community. As we celebrate our first 12 months of operating wedding venues, we're proud to share the progress we've made on our sustainability journey and outline our ambitious goals for the future.
We believe that sustainability isn't just a trend or buzzword; it's a fundamental responsibility. It's about minimising our environmental footprint, supporting local economies and communities, and creating a positive social impact. We've taken concrete steps in our first year to embed these principles into the heart of our operations.
Bride and groom walk through the High House Vineyard. Photo by Pure Image Photography.
Building a Sustainable Foundation:
We're proud of the initiatives we've implemented at our venues:
Copdock Hall: Our investment in a biomass boiler, coupled with underfloor heating in the barn, provides efficient and sustainable warmth for large events. This reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and creates a comfortable atmosphere for our guests.
High House: Replacing the draughty marquee with a beautifully designed Orangery will significantly improve the venue's energy efficiency. The thermally and acoustically insulated structure, due to complete in Spring 2025, minimises energy waste for heating and cooling, while also looking after the needs of our neighbours as wedding celebrations are taking place. We understand the importance of respecting the surrounding environment and ensuring peaceful enjoyment for everyone.
Planting Schemes: From avenues of native cherry trees, to additional vines in our vineyards, our ambitious planting schemes are enhancing the landscaping of our venues, while adding biodiversity and offsetting carbon.
Electric Vehicle Charging: At both Copdock Hall and High House, we are in the process of installing electric car charging points. We want to encourage our suppliers and guests to embrace electric vehicles, contributing to cleaner air and a greener future.
Sustainable Replacements: As we continue to develop and enhance our venues, we're committed to replacing existing items with low-impact, sustainable alternatives. From lighting to furniture, we're carefully considering the environmental impact of every decision.
Policies We Can Stand By: We’ve published our sustainability policies online, to help inform and educate our suppliers and couples and to demonstrate our total commitment to a greener future.
CGI depiction of the High House Orangery, due to open in March 2025.
Ambitious Goals for the Next 12 Months:
We're not stopping here. We have ambitious goals for the next 12 months, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to sustainability and positive social impact:
B Corp Certification: We aim to achieve B Corp certification, a rigorous standard that measures a company's social and environmental performance. This will demonstrate our commitment to balancing profit and purpose.
Living Wage Employer Accreditation: We believe in fair wages and are committed to becoming a Living Wage Employer, ensuring our team members earn a wage that meets the cost of living.
SME Climate Commitment: We will join the SME Climate Commitment, pledging to take action to reduce our carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
Food Made Good Standard: With the introduction of in-house catering, we are aiming to achieve the Food Made Good Standard within 12 months. This will ensure our food practices are ethical, sustainable, and delicious.
Locally Sourced Menu: We're passionate about supporting local producers. Our goal is to offer a 30-mile sustainability and animal welfare-focused menu, with 80% of all fresh produce sourced from aligned suppliers. This will not only reduce food miles but also support our local economy.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): We're committed to achieving a 15% Biodiversity Net Gain at each development site, utilising other venue sites if needed. We understand the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals: We will assess our operations and align where appropriate with the United Nations 17 Goals to Transform Our World. These goals provide a framework for creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
At Xenia Venues, we believe that creating unforgettable experiences and operating sustainably go hand in hand. We're excited about the progress we've made and are even more enthusiastic about the journey ahead.
Written by
Alison Hargreaves
Alison is the Founder and Editor of Guides for Brides, and brings unrivalled knowledge of the UK wedding industry. She has hosted panels on Sustainability for Weddings in London and Switzerland.
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