Aston Marina, one of Staffordshire’s most picturesque and pioneering hospitality destinations, has been announced as a finalist in the Sustainability and Environment category at the prestigious 2025 Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Awards, proudly sponsored by renewable energy leaders GivEnergy.

Situated on the banks of the Trent & Mersey Canal, Aston Marina has become a regional exemplar for how a thriving hospitality and leisure business can prioritise environmental responsibility without compromising on customer experience.

From its award-winning restaurant and boutique wedding venue to its commitment to biodiversity and renewable energy, sustainability is embedded into every corner of Aston Marina’s operations. The site features a carefully concealed 300kWp solar array, a cutting-edge ground source heat pump powering the events venue, three air source heat pumps, electric kitchens, and ten EV charging points — making it one of the most energy-efficient destinations in the region.

Aston Marina’s solar project is particularly groundbreaking. Designed with the local ecosystem and landscape in mind, the array has been discreetly integrated into a natural basin and surrounded by native trees and pollinator-friendly plants, achieving an impressive 55% increase in biodiversity on site. This approach sets a new benchmark for how renewable infrastructure can be delivered without compromising rural aesthetics or natural habitats.

The venue’s extensive recycling programmes, zero-LPG operations, and smart energy monitoring have not only contributed to its sustainability achievements but also led to significant business savings — including an annual reduction of over 52 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to planting more than 2,400 trees.