Why are we asking you to close the door?

It is one simple, painless step that every business can take to cut energy waste. Businesses in the UK spend in the region of £1.6 billion on energy each year, of which 20% is wasted due to poor practices. Why would you want to contribute to £300 million lost through wasted energy? You save on your energy bills, reduce your CO₂ emissions and your customers know that you care.

Without concerted action from individuals, government and business, the UK will miss its targets, as discussed in the detailed econometrics paper at 

www.cambridgeeconometrics.com/press_releases/uk_energy_environment.htm

As well as closing your door:

• Display our logo to promote your store as environmentally aware
• Encourage employee awareness.
• Take further measures to improve your energy efficiency 

The arguments against just don’t stand up

A closed door will discourage customers

Many very successful stores already close their doors and don’t have this problem. We also provide you with decals (stickers) that make it clear why your doors are closed and promote you to the large and growing number of customers who appreciate good environmental practice.

Head office has an open door policy

Take up the issue with your head office; let them know that in your city customers are encouraged to use environmentally responsible stores. Tell them about our campaign, and contact Close the Door for support.

Air curtains are used instead

Air curtains use 30-year old technology to solve a modern problem. They operate at about 50% efficiency, not to mention using up energy themselves. Plus, an overdoor heater is not an air curtain but is often mistaken for one.

A detailed study of air curtain efficiency is available at www.aiha.org/aihce06/handouts/a2valkeapaa.pdf

The shop next door has its door open

Be a leader in energy awareness. Set an example; perhaps it will close its door if you close yours. Your shop will be promoted, your neighbour will get left behind.

It’s too hot with the doors closed

Turn down the heat. Save more energy, save on your bills. In stores with multiple floors, both customers and staff complain that it’s too cold in areas facing onto the street, and too stuffy elsewhere. Closing the doors and controlling the temperature sensibly could make your store a more pleasant place to be.

Disabled access requires an open door

Under planning regulations, a permanently open door is never a solution to disabled access requirements.