CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

APEX HOTELS’ CASE

Apex Hotels corporate responsibility policy sets out the principle and standards for the
company. All staff at each of our hotels is required to comply with the policy.

• Access for all

• Community support
• Environmental policy
• Strategic overview
• Principles
• Standards management
• Greenhouse gases
• Resources
• Daily actions
• Hazardous substances
• Local communities
• Local support
• Recent development actions

Access for all

Apex Hotels understands that every customer has different needs and we aim to make our
hotel facilities available and accessible to all of our guests equally. In rare instances where
this is not possible we will endeavour to offer a range of facilities for guests with a
perspective on disability including:

• Designated car parking, accessible entrance, WC, accessible bedrooms

• Induction loops can be arranged with advanced requests
• Assistance Dogs Welcome

Community support
Apex Hotels is very supportive of local community projects in each hotel’s region and
assistance to local charities. Each request is given due consideration. We also operate
environmental impact programmes for each hotel.

All activities, donations and sponsorships raised by customer, suppliers and staff will
contribute to the Company's objective of supporting local charities. Each hotel has a
nominated charity which staff also support through a number of activities.
Environmental Policy
Overview of the Strategy and Action Plan
During 2006 Apex Hotels reviewed each area of their environmental policy. The main focus
for 2008 is on reducing consumption and improving efficiency in our Energy and Waste
Management processes. The strategy is to investigate and implement new technology or
practices to reduce levels and to agree ongoing best practice.

Improvement in its environmental impact

The aim is to work towards continuous improvement in environmental management and

performance by employees and to encourage support from customers.

Approach to the environment is guided by a number of principles with which all hotels are
required to comply.

Principles
1. The Environmental Director, assisted by the Apex Green Team and supported by the
Apex Executive Group sets out the responsibility for environmental performance and
develops and maintains an adequate system of management, measurement and
improvements.
2. All actions comply with relevant regulations.
3. Business is conducted with due regard to the environment, its habitats and
biodiversity.
4. The business operations are regularly assessed for compliance with policy,
performance and achievement of targets.
5. Environment considerations are taken into account in all major business decisions.
6. Employees are encouraged to work in an environmentally responsible manner.
7. Suppliers are encouraged to operate in an environmentally responsible manner and
such encouragement is made a condition of any supply.
8. Where appropriate, encourage support from customers by providing them with
products and services that are environmentally responsible in use.
9. Customers are made aware of all environmental policies in the specific areas where
they are in direct contact.
10. The company will report regularly on it’s environmental performance. These will be
available on-line or can be sent in writing if requested.

Standards Management
The Environmental Director is responsible for the overall environmental performance, which
is reported to the Apex Board on a monthly basis.

Develop and thereafter maintain an adequately documented environmental recording and

reporting system.
Ensure that the implications for the environment are taken into consideration in all major
business decisions.

Develop and thereafter maintain a record of formal written comments concerning

environmental performance and set targets for their reduction.

Assess the business regularly for compliance with this policy.

Greenhouse Gases
Reduce the use of energy through awareness programmes and through designing efficiency
into new buildings, equipment, travel and transport and other working practices.

Set a target for the reduction of energy consumption. Monitor, report and update regularly.

Minimise Carbon Footprint

Apex Hotels have the facility for customers to offset their carbon footprint from flights,
weddings, conferences and events. We work with Climate Care who will offset carbon
emissions on our behalf through a variety of their projects. We offer this facility
complimentary for bookings at Apex Hotels so every penny charged to offset carbon
emissions will be passed directly on to Climate Care.

Resources
Reduce the use of water and materials through awareness programmes and through designing
efficiency into new buildings, equipment and working practices.

Set a target for the reduction of utility consumption. Monitor, report and update this annually.

Reduce, reuse or recycle solid waste where economically and environmentally sensible. When
these options are not available, dispose of solid waste in the most environmentally responsible
manner.

Set targets for the reduction of waste produced. Monitor, report and update these annually.

The following is a selection of initiatives that Apex adopt to help reduce, re-use and recycle:

• Dual flush toilets to save water

• Energy efficient windows to improve thermal performance resulting in less of a
requirement for heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.
• Dedicated recycling unit
• Separate walk in showers to encourage guests to use the shower instead of the bath
resulting in water saving.
• Re-use of furniture and fittings after our refurbishments by donating to local charities
and businesses.
• Installation of low energy light bulbs
• Favour supplies derived from recycled materials or renewable resources.
Daily actions
On a day to day basis the teams in all Apex Hotels take the following actions in their
contribution to helping the environment

• Recycling of Paper, Plastic, Card board, Glass, Mobile Phones, Waste Cooking Oil,
Toner Cartridges and Dry Cleaning Coat Hangers
• Re-use towels on guest request
• Provide newspapers on request to avoid wastage and recycle any spares
• Daily monitor water/gas/electricity consumption to aid reducing consumption levels
• Bulk purchase of chemicals
• Chemical dosage dispensers
• Donate soap bars and toiletries to charity
• Compact waste so less collections required
• Encourage car share
• Encourage cycle to work and have provided cycle rack facilities plus discount on
cycling goods with local retailers
• Encourage local transport and provide information on their facilities
• Purchase recycled goods
• Provide environmental awareness and training as part of the new staff induction
programme
• On going environmental and awareness training
• Have a dedicated environmental group driving forward new initiatives
• Use conference call phones between properties to minimise travel
• Sales team promote our environment policy and awards to clients
• Co-ordinate in advance staff taxi journeys and pick ups to minimise number of taxi
journeys

Hazardous substances
Reduce the use of hazardous or non-degradable chemicals. We will work with our supplier
partners to encourage use of environmentally friendly soaps and detergents for laundering bed
linen and towels. Where the use of such substances is unavoidable, train staff in their handling
and disposal and take precautions to minimise the impact of spillage

Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances in supplied packaging materials, refrigerants
and fire suppression systems by specifying new equipment that is free of such materials and
replacing existing systems as directed by legislation. Staff are COSHH trained.

Working with our local communities

Reduce as far as commercially practicable the level of harmful or nuisance emissions.

Collect used cooking oil and recycle it through a licensed contractor.

Carry on business in a responsible manner with due regard to the hotels' immediate
environment, particularly at unsociable hours and in relation to noise, odour, lighting, litter,
uncollected waste or deliveries and collections.
Maintain building exteriors, outdoor equipment and grounds to create a positive visual impact
within the hotels' community.

Introduce contingency plans for major incidents to reduce their environmental impact.

Local Support
A selection of actions of ways in which we support our local environment, services and
suppliers:

• Provide information to guests on walks, wildlife and parks.

• Provide information to guests on walking & jogging tours running from the hotels
• Provide cycle hire information to guests
• Work closely with golf courses to promote their facilities
• Provide local transport services information to our staff and guests
• Purchasing policy in place to ensure the hotels use eco friendly chemicals, local and
sustainable produce with minimal transport and packaging
• Use local produce for beverages, fish, meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy
• Use organic produce in our breakfast items

Recent hotel development actions

Apex Hotels have a dedicated architect in charge of Sustainable Hotel Design to take
advantage of environmental opportunities in our developments:

• The design of our Hotels are eco-friendly, our new build hotel in Dundee has taken
advantage of the latest energy saving materials and techniques. These being extensive
thermographic imaging to ensure the building was air tight and to identify thermal
spots. This property also incorporated the most up to date ventilation system available
at the time
• The hotels are located in City centres rather than using Greenfield space. This also
minimises wastage of energy and resources
• Keycard systems control lighting, heating and air coolers when room not in use
• Building management systems are in place to control temperatures throughout the
building
• Existing lifts have been replaced with energy efficient lifts
• Energy saving lighting, dimmers and motion detectors are in place