Gosnells meadery gains ethical B Corp certification

Honey-based drinks producer Gosnells has received B Corp approval, having met the scheme's rigorous social and environmental standards.

The London-headquartered meadery said it had examined every stage of its production, distribution, and operation to gain the certification.

Gosnells founder and managing director Tom Gosnell said: "We want to give real meaning to that over-used and under-qualified word ‘sustainability'."

Gosnells uses honey to produce its sparkling nectars, which enables it to avoid the fungicides, pesticides and herbicides used by many farmers.

It does not use diesel-emitting tractors required to produce barley, wheat, apples, or grapes and therefore has no spent grains or grape or apple skins to transport away afterwards for animal feed or compost.

Gosnell said: "In 2019, we moved away from reliance on glass bottles to cans, which now account for 20% of sales, and in 2022 started selling on draught in refillable kegs to pubs and bars - now 80% of sales. Both of these factors significantly minimise raw material usage and transportation costs."

The company also works with its local Peckham community to rejuvenate waste spaces and plans to work with its trade customers to turn pub gardens into greener spaces.

Gosnells is served on draught in venues across London including Laine pubs such as Watsons General Telegraph and the Four Thieves, draft house venues like the Duke of Hammersmith and Seething Lane Tap, in independents like the Gladstone Arms in Borough, as well as its own bar in Bermondsey which opened in 2022.

Chris Turner, executive director of BCorp verifier B Lab UK, said: "[Gosnells'] commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really helps spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit."