Joint award for Premier Marinas and Bentley Motors at SIBS

Premier Marinas and Bentley Motors have been awarded Exhibitor Environmental Awards at Southampton International Boat Show by British Marine. The joint winners received their awards in recognition of ‘going above and beyond to reduce their environmental impact and introduce sustainable working practices’.

“We are incredibly proud to be joint winners of the Exhibitor Sustainability Award 2021,” says Pete Bradshaw, CEO of Premier Marinas. “For Premier it’s already been a long journey and it continues. We are really proud of the team’s accomplishments so far including being the first marina operator to introduce waste recycling across all our sites, leading in solar power generation, our marina ablution facilities include water-saving features, and pump-out facilities for the safe disposal of ‘black water’. We are measuring our carbon footprint with the target of achieving net zero by 2050, and engaging with The Green Blue initiative to help educate ourselves and our customers.

“We’re also announcing our principal sponsorship of the In Our Element Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge rowing team at the show. This team happens to be formed of four of my Premier Marinas’ colleagues seeking to raise awareness of the growing plastic pollution in our oceans – but they have a unique and exciting partnership. They will be announcing details of that on our Premier Marinas stand on Wednesday at 11am. Being able to support initiatives like this is rewarding for Premier. It’s helping us extend our own understanding of sustainability issues, and it ultimately helps us focus on how we can support the global effort which is so important to us all.”

Meanwhile, British Marine says the industry’s recovery has gained momentum and confidence is high among UK marine businesses.

It says in its industry update (Q2, 2021), that over two thirds of members saw an increase in sales in Q2, compared to the same period in 2020. Data also shows that UK boat sales revenue for Q1 and Q2 2021 (Jan-June) is up 21% compared with the same period on 2019. Boat sales revenue figures for Q1 and Q2 combined are now at their highest level since 2017.

British Marine says 78% of members indicated that they were confident about their businesses current prospects, reflecting the strength of this recovery.

SIBS continues with free Suzuki on-the-water experiences available through the day until 4pm – sign up at the Suzuki stand (E058).

Tickets to the show are available online.

Image: Premier Marinas CEO, Pete Bradshaw, receives an environmental award.