Mistake highlights exceptions to the Close the Door rule
Posted by jeannie on December 17, 2014
Jojo and Pete's is a great deli/coffee shop on Oxford's North Parade. They sell fresh produce so they decided to do the most sensible thing and create a giant larder for their shop. They use no heating and wrap themselves well against the cold, creating the best environment for what they sell - including cheeses. This is all part of a great model in which they use local, organic growers and a micro dairy to reduce food miles, and compost all their food waste to use on their herb garden. They have been trading for 15 months and their energy bills are actually lower in the winter as the fridges in the shop are not having to work as hard. So keeping the door open and using natural ventilation in this context actually saves them energy and makes perfect sense. It's well worth a visit if you are nearby.
Imagine the consternation when the shop is misreported for wasting energy and flagged up. The last thing any retailer needs is a knock, especially when it is undeserved. So, the lesson is that it is always important to check if the heating is on in a shop with the door open in the winter, before assuming the worst. Every rule of thumb has exceptions. Produce, chocolate and flower shops frequently do not use heating at all. A quick check and a friendly word with the manager/staff is all that's needed to gain the real picture.
Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party, Endorsement
Posted by jeannie on December 16, 2014
Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party, said
'I am delighted to endorse the Close the Door campaign. Walking down high streets, it sometimes seems that through open doors we're deliberately trying to heat the planet, while leaving staff to spend their days at a miserably cold temperature. 'Close the Door' is an excellent example of the way in which we can make our lives better while also reducing the damage we do to our environment. Staff and shoppers can enjoy more comfortable conditions, businesses can save money and we can cut carbon emissions.'
The campaign would like to thank Natalie very much for her quick response, and Tim Barsby of Bristol Close the Door/ Hannah Cooper of Worcester Close the Door for bringing the campaign to her attention and asking for the endorsement.
Daily Mail Online 15th December
Posted by jeannie on December 15, 2014
Perfect timing for this coverage of the campaign today under great title of 'So why ARE shops so hot? It's freezing outside but festive bargain hunters are sweltering'. bit.ly/gkhk6w
Retail Environment Nov/Dec coverage
Posted by jeannie on December 1, 2014
Article by Amy North. Retail Environment has a targeted circulation to senior retail managers. http://bit.ly/13a19KL
Air Pollution hazards to health on busy streets/shop doors
Posted by jeannie on November 25, 2014
Many thanks to Dr Ben Barratt, of the cutting edge Kings College London Air Quality Team who is advising the campaign and met today. Preliminary research results indicate that closing the door significantly reduces long term health hazards from air pollution in shops on traffic busy streets. It's going to take a long time to resolve the high levels of air pollution (largely from diesel engines) on the streets of our major cities. Short term measures are needed right now and it seems that closing the door is an easy one to help protect shop staff. More soon. (Ben Barratt, image from Kings College London Research Portal)
