Greenshop opening

The Greenshop in Bisley started out 20 years ago from a garage forecourt and has now become a multi-million pound business. Yesterday saw it's official opening of it's new £700,000 green HQ - congrats and more to them all working there.

Bisley garage owner Roger Budgeon said in the press: "It reflects the way we believe we must all interact with our environment. It's designed to be as close to carbon neutral as possible, which businesses across the county need to work towards. We all have to be less energy-demanding."

The Greenshop group employs 55 people and has a turnover of £3.75 million. It commissioned the new HQ from eco-architects Architype in order to bring together the five branches of its business - Greenshop, Auro Paints, Consolar UK, Greenshop Solar and Rainharvesting Systems Ltd. A major part of each branch's work is assisting local businesses to 'green' their own HQs, with eco-paints, solar panels and water systems. It features log and solar thermal heating, photovoltaic solar panels on the roof producing electricity, wonderful green and brown roofs, with plants and miniature 'bio-systems' for wildlife, a rainwater harvesting system, natural insulation, natural paints and finishes, natural lighting and ventilation, oak, bamboo and recycled tyre carpet and flooring.

Outside, the Greenshop has landscaped grounds featuring natural ponds and flow-forms. The building needs no air conditioning in summer and is heated by sustainable wood and solar power and super insulated. It also needs almost no artificial lighting, so it is much less reliant on non-renewable energy. The wood-burning boiler will cost £200 a year to run and solar panels on the roof will provide electricity.

More info and photos at: www.greenshopgroup.co.uk