Fortifying the future of business in the South Downs National Park
Business network ‘Our South Downs’, led by the South Downs National Park Authority, has already welcomed over 100 business members, working together to tackle climate change, shorten supply chains, protecting our landscape, and working towards a net zero and sustainable future.
There are currently just under 8,000 businesses within the National Park, with tens of thousands more in surrounding towns and cities across East and West Sussex and Hampshire. With 19 million visitors a year, and being the largest park for commercial income generation, the National Park area already contributes around £5.8bn to the UK economy.
Many businesses are taking active steps to reduce their environmental impact and help protect and enhance this treasured landscape. This includes reducing their carbon footprint, using sustainable materials, and investing in renewable energy sources. Additionally, some businesses are also supporting local conservation projects that help to preserve the area’s unique flora and fauna. By working together, businesses can ensure that the South Downs National Park remains an important part of England’s natural heritage for generations to come. The ‘Our South Downs’ business network brings together these businesses and provides the means for them to connect, share products and services and join forces in their quest for sustainability. It also provides them access to a monthly newsletter with the resources, knowledge, and support they need to achieve net zero.
Membership to the network is free and includes benefits such as:
- The opportunity to join an internationally-recognised “Green South Downs” certification scheme that champions sustainability. The National Park is partnering with Green Tourism, which helps businesses adopt greener ways to operate, such as reducing single-use plastics, reducing carbon footprint, making it easy for employees to recycle and creating a green outdoor space to boost biodiversity. This will be open to both tourism and non-tourism businesses.
- Free business mentoring session from the Association of Business Mentors.
- Members can access a free downloadable toolkit of business resources provided by Sussex Innovation Centre.
- A regularly-updated online portal with information for businesses to help with planning, tourism, and land-based schemes, as well as search for and connect with other like-minded businesses.
- Advice and support around maximising energy efficiency and creating stronger supply chains.
- Information on new funding opportunities when they become available.
- Discounted venue hire at sites run by the National Park Authority.
Nick Heasman, Countryside, and Policy Manager, who leads Our South Downs, said:
“Businesses have had an incredibly challenging time over the past two years, but one of the positives has been a greater desire to collaborate and work together. Sustainability is higher on the agenda than ever before for business leaders and we hope this new initiative will help organisations work towards a greener, more prosperous future and really strengthen their environmental credentials. We’ve also seen a real shift towards ‘buy local’ and more customers are looking at the range of products and services on their doorstep, particularly in the tourism and food and drink sector. We know so many businesses are passionate about the National Park and Our South Downs brings all the information, resources, and green innovation together in one place and we hope it will help strengthen the local economy over the coming years. Ultimately, we want to provide new opportunities for businesses to thrive and also help our precious environment at the same time.”
To find out more about ‘Our South Downs’ and how to join visit www.oursouthdowns.co.uk/
