Leading Family-Owned Leisure Group joins Zero Carbon Forum to support its net zero journey

29th March 2023: One of the UK’s leading family-owned private Hospitality Companies, Glendola Leisure, is the latest member to join the Zero Carbon Forum as the private hospitality group strives to meet net zero across its UK wide portfolio of hotels, pubs, coffee roasteries, restaurants and a brewery.

Founded in 1973 by Peter Salussolia OBE, the Group has 17 venues including several in London such as the award-winning Irish pub, Waxy O'Connor's, in the West End and the renowned World's End Pub and Underworld Live Music venue in Camden. The Group’s Scottish portfolio is split between Edinburgh and Glasgow and is home to artisanal skills such as beer brewing at Shilling Brewing Co and coffee roasting at Gordon Street Coffee, which was the first shop in Glasgow’s city centre to roast its own brand coffee on site, within the coffee shop.

Glendola Leisure has now enlisted the help and expertise of Zero Carbon Forum on its net zero journey, drawing upon the collaborative expertise of the forum members to support in the delivery of its sustainability goals.

Championed for its innovative and creative approach, Glendola has several sustainability initiatives already in place, including its award-winning hand-roasted small batch coffee.

The coffee pods served in Gordon Street Coffee were the UK’s first 100% natural, home compostable coffee capsules. Made from Solinatra®, a revolutionary biomaterial that is biodegradable and compostable, the pods break down in the same time frame as a banana skin, leaving behind zero contamination or harmful microplastics.

Reducing food waste across all venues is also a key focus for Glendola. The group is meticulous in the separation of coffee grounds, food waste and dry recycling, endeavoring at all times to keep general waste to an absolute minimum.

With external and internal support and the help of the forum, Glendola Leisure will build upon its current sustainability initiatives and develop its net zero strategy. Zero Carbon Forum will share its knowledge, insights, innovation and best practices to help the leisure group on its journey to deliver a long-term, sustainable model.

Alex Salussolia, Managing Director at Glendola Leisure, said: “We have taken the step to join the Zero Carbon Forum to support us on the road to net zero and to build upon some of the sustainability initiatives already in place. We know the hospitality sector has a key part to play in the overall climate issue, and we’re excited about working with the forum to continue the great work they are doing across the hospitality sector in reducing carbon emissions.”

Mark Chapman, CEO and Founder of Zero Carbon Forum, said: “We are delighted to welcome Glendola Leisure Group as our latest member and look forward to supporting all of their venues in developing clear and actionable goals that will help reduce carbon emissions as well as energy usage.

“Building on the great work we have been doing within the hospitality industry, we believe that it is this collaborative approach that will drive the sector to reach its targets and support wider climate crisis that we are currently faced with.”

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Editors notes

The Zero Carbon Forum is a non-profit organisation, empowering members to reach sustainability targets with more speed, efficiency, and profit as a united effort. With defined roadmaps backed by peers, government, and leading sustainability experts — together we’re on a path to survive and thrive.