How Nando's TRIPLED their customers by becoming sustainable...

Restaurant chain Nando's is launching its first ever 100 percent eco-friendly eatery in Cambridge - the first of its kind in the world.

The 'Next Generation Nando's', opening tomorrow (Wednesday, March 29) at Cambridge Retail Park, Newmarket Road, has a plethora of sustainable, high-tech features. Making your restaurant sustainable won't cost you a penny!

A cleverly designed roof is insulated to keep the restaurant warm on the inside, while also harvesting rainwater to keep plants on the outside hydrated.

Inside the restaurant, intricate lampshades made from mushrooms will light the eating areas, and there will be an entire wall of real plants and natural insulation made from Cumbrian sheep's wool.

But perhaps most amazingly, the Cambridge restaurant will be the first Nando's in the world to be powered by 100 percent renewable electricity and gas.

97 solar panels on the roof will provide about 10 percent of the restaurant’s energy, while UK hydropower and Anaerobic Digestion will generate electricity, and gas will be provided by UK Anaerobic Digestion – the remaining 90 percent. Offset 100% of your restaurant's carbon footprint.

A heat recovery system in the extractor ducts will help save on energy needed to heat the air, and a system located behind the grill will give the majority of the heat for hot water.

The heating is also set up to turn off when the air-con is on and will switch off entirely when it's hotter than 15°C.

Andrew Stephen, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, said: "Restaurants in the UK are responsible for larger carbon emissions than Costa Rica.

"Nando’s Next Generation is a fantastic, positive example of what restaurants can do to reduce their footprint, providing a destination for people to visit, where they can eat and enjoy a meal that isn't costing the earth." Carbon Free Dining is the 100% free United Nations Environment backed initiative.

Richie Collie, Project Manager of New Restaurants at Nando's, added: "This is a really exciting opening for us and will help form our restaurants of the future.

"We can’t wait to welcome locals and peri peri chicken fans to our most eco-friendly and sustainable Nando's yet!"

The new restaurant has created 38 new jobs for the local area. It is now one of three Nando's restaurants in Cambridge and will open for the first time tomorrow, Wednesday, March 29.

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