Page last updated on 7th July 2025
Barrie Henderson, owner of Hendersons family-run restaurant in Edinburgh
Our Small Business Focus feature puts the spotlight on local business owners who talk about how they use their smart meters, how they manage their energy costs and other helpful tips. In this edition, Barrie Henderson talks about his experience taking on a family-run restaurant business...
Barrie shares his story
Hendersons is a family-run vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Edinburgh with sustainability at its heart. Reopened in 2021 by Barrie Henderson, the restaurant honours a legacy that began in 1962 when his grandmother, Janet Henderson, opened the UK’s first and longest running vegetarian restaurant.
How do you manage your energy costs?
In a fast-paced hospitality environment, energy efficiency is essential. We regularly monitor our energy usage and keep up to date with servicing and modernising all our equipment to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible.
We also try to create a culture across our team to reduce waste wherever possible, be it food, energy, or our time.
How does your smart meter help your business?
Our smart meter has been a useful tool for the business. It saves us time by automatically sending meter readings to our supplier rather than us having to do it ourselves, so it’s one less admin task on the list.
Having a smart meter also provides peace of mind knowing our energy usage is being regularly monitored, which helps us with tracking trends over time so we can identify where we might be able to change our business operations to improve energy efficiency.
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How important is sustainability to your business?
Sustainability is central to everything we do. As a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, offering sustainable food choices is part of our core identity, and it’s something our customers really value as well. Many of them are deeply passionate about the environment, so it’s important to us that we reflect those values in our day-to-day operations.
But we don’t stop at just the menu. We go above and beyond what most restaurants do when it comes to reducing our environmental impact. For example, we make our own compost in our back garden using food waste from the kitchen. That compost then goes straight back into the earth to help us grow a range of edible flowers, herbs, and vegetables, which we use in our dishes and cocktails. It’s a closed-loop system that not only cuts down on waste but also supports local biodiversity and contributes to a healthier urban ecosystem.
What is the best piece of advice you'd like to share with your fellow small business owners?
My biggest piece of advice would be to get your whole team on board when it comes to your sustainability goals, including energy efficiency. Even small changes in behaviour across a team can make a big difference over time.
I would also say invest in the best quality equipment you can. It might be tempting to hang on to older or second-hand machinery to save money upfront, but this can be a false economy. Older or poorly maintained equipment tends to use more energy, can be unreliable, and usually comes with a shorter lifespan and limited warranty support. In the long run, choosing more efficient and durable options often pays off, both financially and environmentally.
What have been your biggest challenges and how have you overcome them?
Like many others in hospitality, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, and the landscape is still tough. The pandemic was one of the biggest tests we've ever faced, but we’re incredibly proud to have come through it stronger and more united as a team.
What really helped us was having such a passionate and creative group of people. Everyone pulled together, bringing ideas to the table, adapting quickly, and supporting each other every step of the way. That spirit of collaboration and problem-solving continues to be one of our greatest strengths. We know the challenges aren’t over but by staying agile, working as a team, and staying true to our values, we’re confident we can keep moving forward, no matter what comes our way.
How can you request a smart meter for your small business?
Simply enter your energy supplier in the box below and we’ll connect you. If your business works with a Third Party Intermediary (TPI) or broker, please contact them directly to request your smart meter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does installation take?
Installations normally take about two hours and are arranged in advance so that you can make any necessary arrangements beforehand to ensure minimal disruption to your normal business operations.
Can I get a smart meter if my small business is in a rented premises?
Yes. If you pay the energy bills you can make the decision about whether to get a smart meter. If your landlord pays your energy bills, speak with them about getting a smart meter for your building.
You may need to check with your landlord that any changes to your meter are allowed within your rental contract.