BE SUSTAINABLE

Summer is now hitting its stride and for once the Met office forecasts for a "barbecue summer" look spot on. For the SRA in its 4th floor garret that means a sweltering office, so I've been taking every opportunity to get out and about. Earlier in the month I met some wonderful people in Bristol including Alex Reilley from Loungers. Loungers are beautifully comfortable cafes where all the furniture and fittings are reclaimed, something we would definitely recommend all start-ups to consider. I could easily have spent the whole day in there chatting, but with their fifteenth café opening this week Alex soon sent me packing. While on the train I've been reading Setting the Table, a fantastic book by New York restaurateur Danny Meyer which is part memoir and part business guide. The overriding theme is that people matter, again something we at the SRA would wholeheartedly endorse - and that enlightened hospitality is about serving, in order of priority, your staff, your customers, the community, suppliers and last your investors. I'm sure there are plenty who'd disagree but it's certainly food for thought. Later this month I'm attending the Good Farm Animal welfare Awards, organised by Compassion In World Farming and hosted by an old favourite of mine, Bill Oddie. I look forward to reporting back on what I'm sure will be a great evening and (hopefully) celebrating Andy Murray's glorious win in the Men's Final at Wimbledon.