It has become an iconic landmark at the entrance to a Suffolk coastal resort and this year marks 10 years of the environmentally friendly Adnams' Distribution Centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Adnams Pink Car - Benedict OrchardAdnams Pink Car - Benedict Orchard (Image: Sarah Groves)

Built in 2006, in Reydon, the centre has many unique features which ensure it is environmentally, economically and socially friendly.

Owned by Southwold-based brewery, Adnams, the building has reduced noise, visual and air pollution within Southwold as well as minimising them at Reydon.

Built 9m below road level and with a large sedum 'green' roof, these features ensure the centre not only blends in with the rural landscape but also provides plants to improve air quality.

Benedict Orchard, Adnams' environmental sustainability manager, explained the impact the building has had over the last decade: 'We are a long-term company and understand the need to act sustainably and plan long-term actions into our thinking now, in order to operate for just as long as we have already been around – 144 years!'

Constructed using bricks, locally grown hemp and lime, which combine with the sustainably grown wooden glulam beams it ensures the warehouse has 'green' insulation.

The roof not only offers rainwater harvesting helping to save around 1 million litres of water each year, but also provides a nectar source for the on-site rescued honeybees.

'We are always evolving what we do and coming up with new initiatives to continue our sustainability story. We've also done a few bits around alternative fuels for our vehicles too – introducing an electric van into our home delivery fleet as well as installing electric vehicle charging points at all our managed inns to allow customers to travel to our pubs and hotels sustainably,' added Mr Orchard.

Do you have a Southwold story? Email simon.ward@archant.co.uk or call 01502 525 832.