9:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Workers who take a healthy route to their jobs can freshen up for free using a hotel chain’s showers.
In a London first, people who walk, run or cycle to work in Sutton town centre can now enjoy free morning showers under a new initiative from Smarter Travel Sutton.
During a six-month trial, which started yesterday, employees who work in a building without a shower can use the changing rooms at the Holiday Inn London-Sutton on Gibson Road.
If their employer is part of the Sutton town centre business travel network, workers can simply turn up at the hotel with an ID card and enjoy a free shower. However, they must bring their own soap and towels.
The offer is available to more than 5,000 staff employed by over 70 businesses in Sutton town centre.
It aims to encourage more people to leave their car at home and walk, run or cycle to work, improving their health and productivity in the workplace while reducing congestion on the borough’s roads.
Smarter Travel Sutton is a three-year, £5m partnership project between Sutton Council and Transport for London (TfL) to reduce car use and promote sustainable travel.
Councillor Colin Hall, executive member for the environment on Sutton Council, said: “People have told us that they would travel to work under their own steam more often if their workplace had showers.
“While many businesses encourage staff to use sustainable travel, not all have the money or the space to install changing facilities.”
Simon McLaughlin, operations manager at the Holiday Inn London-Sutton, said: “We are excited to be able to support the campaign and help promote the local economy while we collectively strive to improve the immediate environment for residents, businesses and guests alike.”
David Rowe, head of core programmes, Smarter Travel Unit at TfL, said: “This is a great opportunity for people in Sutton town centre to start cycling, running or walking to work, especially for those who don’t have shower facilities in their workplace and may have previously been put off the idea because of it.”
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