Why Businesses have a vital role to play in Windermere’s future

By Rick Bailey, Chairman of Daniel Thwaites and Chair of the Love Windermere Business Support Group

Protecting Windermere is a responsibility that belongs to all of us.

As businesses operating in and around the Lake District, we benefit every day from one of the most beautiful natural environments in the country. The health of Windermere matters not only because it is an iconic landscape, but because it underpins the communities, businesses and livelihoods that depend upon it.

That is why Daniel Thwaites has proudly pledged its support to Love Windermere, and why I am delighted to chair the Love Windermere Business Support Group.
Love Windermere is bringing together organisations, experts, public bodies, communities and businesses around a shared ambition: to improve and protect the water quality of Windermere for future generations.

At a time when environmental challenges are often complex and interconnected, this collaborative approach is exactly what is needed and the work of the partnership is at the leading edge of environmental stewardship. What particularly appeals to me about Love Windermere is that it is focused on practical, evidence-led action. The Partnership’s research-led Action Plan recognises that there is no single cause of water quality issues and no organisation that can solve them alone. Instead, it brings together the knowledge, expertise and commitment needed to deliver long-term improvements across the catchment. This spirit of collaboration is something businesses understand well.

Successful businesses know that the best outcomes are often achieved when people come together around a common goal. The same principle applies to environmental stewardship. By working collectively, organisations can make a greater impact than any of us could achieve individually. That is why local business involvement is so important.

Businesses have a unique opportunity to lead by example, investing in sustainable practices, influencing customers and colleagues, and supporting initiatives that protect the places we all care about. The growing number of organisations supporting Love Windermere demonstrates that environmental responsibility and economic success can go hand in hand.

At Thwaites, our pledge is supported by practical action. We are investing in the safe management of water discharge, investing in rainwater harvesting, and working with the Environment Agency to report concerns relating to water quality. We are also committed to promoting the work of Love Windermere, sharing progress and celebrating positive stories about Windermere and the wider Lake District with our customers and stakeholders.

While each individual action may seem modest, together they contribute to a wider movement for positive change. That is the power of collaboration. When businesses, communities and partner organisations all play their part, the collective impact can be significant.

The Love Windermere Business Support Group exists to encourage and champion that involvement as well as helping to amplify the work of the partnership at a national level and within government. We want businesses of all sizes to understand how they can contribute and to recognise that protecting Windermere is not solely the responsibility of environmental organisations or public bodies. It is something we can all help to deliver.

I believe Love Windermere represents a model that can be an exemplar not only for Windermere but for other treasured landscapes across the Lake District and beyond. By combining science, partnership and practical action, it is showing what can be achieved when people focus on solutions and work towards a shared vision.

The future of Windermere matters to all of us. As businesses, we have an important role to play in protecting this remarkable place, ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come and supporting the work of those who are also on the same path.

That is why Daniel Thwaites is proud to support Love Windermere, and why I encourage other businesses across the region to join us in backing this important partnership. Together, we can make a real difference.