Endorsements

"I fully support Close the Door as there is an urgent need to do everything we can to reduce carbon emissions. UK business is in many ways prepared to lead the way and in asking retailers to close their door while using heating or air conditioning, this campaign addresses an area of waste that we often overlook. It is an easy and effective way to cut energy waste and I encourage both retailers and customers to support it."

Prof Sir David King (former government Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, Oxford)

 "I wholeheartedly support the Close the Door campaign and the work it is doing to persuade retailers to close their doors against energy waste.

Estimates suggest that shops waste around £300 million each year because their doors are left open. Many could slash their energy bills by 20-25% if they closed them. The excess use of energy is also contributing to climate change but could be solved by simply shutting the door and keeping the heat or air conditioning in. I have heard both shop staff and customers complaining on windy days about icy air whistling in through open doors. The policy is madness and I hope retailers will wake up to the waste.

Open doors are intended to entice customers to step inside. But with the United Nations predicting that billions will suffer from the effects of global warming it is morally indefensible to waste energy in this way."

Euro-MP Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat environment spokesman in the European Parliament

"I thoroughly support the aims and objectives of the Close the Door campaign and their work to persuade retailers to keep their doors closed when using energy to heat or cool shops.

We now live in a situation where energy waste is simply not acceptable. Climate change is no longer in question, and with major aid agencies and the UN predicting wide scale human suffering and food shortages from global warming, we have to pay urgent attention to avoiding energy waste.

By closing doors while using energy, retailers will also reduce their bills. Many shops already do this. Concerns about enticing customers in should be met by means other than leaving the door open in all conditions. Close the Door is a simple idea that makes a very real difference.

The Close the Door campaign started in Cambridge and is now rolling out to other cities. This is a good example of the many exciting new ideas of vision that come out of this region. Please follow me in supporting the campaign whether you use shops as a consumer, or work in the retail industry. It makes sense for all of us."

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge

"I am delighted that this initiative represents one of many good and innovative ideas coming out of the region I represent. It is absolutely critical that we all pay attention to reducing energy use and emissions. Retailers who keep their doors open while heating or cooling the store are wasting significant amounts of energy. Whether retailers or customers, we can stop this by simply closing the shop door. It is that easy. Excuses based on tempting customers into shops through open doors are not acceptable or sensible in this time of global warming and fuel crisis. The campaign started in Cambridge which now has over 250 stores of all sizes keeping the door closed, and other cities are following. Keeping the door closed against energy waste clearly need not cause retail hardship. Please join me in supporting the Close the Door campaign."

Andrew Lansley MP

"It is crucial that we all act to prevent energy waste wherever possible. No one heats their home and leaves the doors and windows wide open and yet we tend to overlook what happens in shops. Keeping the door closed while energy is being used to heat or cool a shop is easy, effective and common sense. Not doing so is wholly irresponsible. We all have a part to play in this whether working in the retail sector or as customers. I encourage everyone to join me in lending support to the Close the Door Campaign. "

Charles Clarke MP

"I fully support the Close the Door Campaign, and am very pleased to see Exeter at the forefront of another good campaign. I hope this will encourage the retail sector and customers alike to act responsibly in keeping doors closed while energy is being used to heat/cool a store. Preventing energy waste is critical to us all, and this is an easy and effective step at very little inconvenience. Please support those shops which close their doors to conserve energy"

Ben Bradshaw MP

"I am very pleased to support the Close the Door campaign. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and we must all do what we can to help. To address the challenges it brings, the environment needs to be at the top of the political agenda, but campaigns such as this are an important reminder that politicians alone do not have all the answers. It is only by working collectively now that we can help preserve our planet for future generations, so please do join me in remembering to close the door! With one small action individually we can make a huge difference together."

Rt Hon William Hague MP

 
 
© The Close the Door campaign.