A £2.8m loan from Triodos Bank UK will support the creation of new cafés at The Lodge in Bedfordshire, Dee Estuary in Cheshire, Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire and Conwy, North Wales. 

As well as playing an important role in its conservation work, the charity’s nature reserves are fantastic places to experience and discover more about wildlife and the landscapes they call home. The new facilities will offer the space for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike to learn about their local wildlife and the work of the RSPB while also serving food and refreshments that are prepared on site from fresh and sustainable seasonal ingredients. 

To minimise any potential disturbance to wildlife during the building process, the new facilities will be created using offsite modular construction methods and installed throughout 2022 and early 2023. Special wildlife friendly features, including anti-bird strike glass windows and doors, have also been included in the designs. 

Shaun Thomas, chief operating officer at the RSPB, said: “Our nature reserves are havens for a huge range of species and offer special spaces for us all to get closer to nature, take part in events and enjoy the great outdoors. We hope that these new facilities will encourage even more people to spend time enjoying all our nature reserves have to offer as well as helping to boost income to support our important conservation work.” 

The charity manages more than 220 reserves throughout the UK for nature, covering a range of habitats including estuaries, mudflats, forests and urban spaces. If successful, the new visitor centre and café concept could be rolled out to other sites in the future. 

Phillip Bate, business banking team leader at Triodos Bank UK, added: “The RSPB is an excellent fit for our mission and values as a bank and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to support the important work of its nature reserves through the addition of these new facilities. Encouraging engagement with nature, while helping to generate income for the charity, fits perfectly with our ethos of using money to support positive environmental and social change.” 

Triodos Bank’s previous work with the RSPB includes a loan to help the charity install renewable energy projects across its nature reserves.  

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Notes to editors: 

For further information please contact: 

Ellie James 

About Triodos Bank 

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.  

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 67 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially. 

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383. 

About the RSPB 

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.