UK: Cheltenham-based operator Beechurst Serviced Apartments has achieved B Corp certification, becoming one of the first serviced apartment providers in the UK to do so.
Beechurst Serviced Apartments launched in July 2021 and currently manages five locations in Cheltenham.
Applicants for B Corp status must achieve scores of at least 80. Beechurst secured an overall score of 89 against an industry standard of 81. It joins over 8,000 businesses in more than 90 countries certified as B Corps.
The company has been able to reduce the carbon cost of overnight stays to less than half the national average of 14.3kg CO2e. This has been achieved through a reduction in energy and consumables, changes to its laundry and procurement processes, and educating guests. This benchmarking will enable Beechurst to track progress and make improvements throughout the year.
Further plans include investment into both the facilities and building, as well as to the local community.
Beechurst is now on course to reach net zero by the end of December 2025, and to be a climate positive, regenerative business by the end of December 2028.
Angie Petkovic, co-owner of Beechurst Serviced Apartments, said: “The journey to gain B Corp certification has been a lengthy but rewarding one; it has been an enjoyable learning curve, and we still have a lot we want to accomplish. We could not be happier to be part of the B Corp community, and we’ll continue in our commitment to help promote the importance of ethical values beyond profit.”
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, added: “We are delighted to welcome Beechurst Services Apartments to the B Corp community. They have an opportunity to lead the way within the hospitality industry and champion the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit. We know that the Beechurst team are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
