Eco Café Bar for Topsham
Sustainability and eco-tourism have always been very high on our agenda. The Globe has a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award for “very good sustainable practices”. Now with the chance of developing the former Steam Packet Inn into Route 2 Café Bar & Cycle Hire we are carrying on these practices here and even going a few steps further.

Local Purchasing
We try and use all local suppliers wherever possible and more importantly by good quality products that are fresh full of flavour. We make whatever we can on the premises including our own ice cream.

A unique feature in the café bar is the display of juice bottles above the bar and beer & cider bottles as the step to the raised stage. All the beer and cider bottles are from Devon with the exception of two imported Cornish brews! – but very good ones – Doom Bar and Tribute.

Energy
All appliances have been choosen for their low energy use such as the induction hob (where over 90% of the energy goes into heating a pan with very little energy waste), and the extraction system above the cooking area with special grease filters that change the direction of the air flow quickly which allows the grease to get trapped and left behind instead of being pushed through a mesh filter.

Insulation in the ceiling and soundproofing providing the most up-to-date protection.
Low energy lighting wherever possible with light sensors in toilets and other areas.
LED lighting for the decorative and outside lights using very minimal energy and thus very efficient. The total used outside will be less than just one of the flood lights used before – a good result!

Natural light is very important too and used wherever possible within the re-design of the building – eg putting a toilet cubicle under a roof light and various other borrowed light ideas throught the building are being used to very positive results.

Solar Panels to heat the hot water were installed in May 2009 by Solar Fusion – we already have this system in use elsewhere and it is brilliant! Costs a bit more to start with but well worth it in the end – all works off daylight not just when the sun shines!

Waste not, want not
Rainwater harvesting for the ladies toilets – shortly we will be installing old juice tanks that will collect the rainwater and supply water to the three ladies toilets.
Ureko is a waterless urinal system that uses a natural enzyme to break down any “nasties” and keep all the pipe work clean.
Low flush or dual flush toilets are installed. In the ladies we have had to replace with an older type which uses a bit too much water so will be installing Hippo Bags – available from South West Water. Low flo taps with Aerators and sensor taps are used wherever possible.

Less Waste & Recycling
We recycle all cardboard, paper and plastics through Exeter City Council – they offer a very good commercial service that many authorities do not yet have. Glass is collected by The Bottle Man (no he doesn’t look like a bottle!), again another family firm. We make every effort to see we do not waste things through over cooking, packaging etc.

All products bought are either biodegradable or recycled wherever possible. Microfibre cloths and eco-chemicals are used. We work closely with M & A Environmental based in Christow – very helpful.

Decoration
Nutshell Paints based in Exeter by our friends Alan and Jane Back have been chosen for their environmental credentials. White emulsion is being used throughout the building and the “Appledore” colour for all the woodwork is being trialed.

Most of the flooring is original. The parquet oak floor was a real find and we have had it restored and repaired by another excellent local company who also use a non-solvent based varnish – the result is fantastic.

The big heavy slate floor has been stripped by Marc, Tony and Katy – a very hard task, but a task very well done.

We have reused, and repainted furniture to give the place a light and airy feel and are reusing many of the maritime decorations including the big Steam Packet sign outside in our Steam Packet Apartments. This keeps a continuity with the past and retains any of the original features. (The Steam Packet was once known as The Red Lion so has seen many changes through it’s long history).

Sustainable transport
With our Cycle Repair and Cycle Hire we encourage sustainable transport. We encourage visitors to arrive using public transport (train and bus services to Topsham are excellent).

We hope this gives you a better insight into what we are trying to achieve. Our builders B&L Construction have worked closely with us to achieve a really good and environmentally sound finish. We hope you like it too!

For any other details or queries please do not hesitate to ask.

Liz Hodges
01392 875085
info@route2topsham.co.uk