Eco Village will be alternative to supermarket
SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS TO CHANGE THEIR SHOP HABITS
ENTREPRENEURS are aiming to offer customers a radical alternative to the supermarket.
Eco Village has been launched in Market Harborough by Beth Lambert – owner of Refill Revolution, an eco-friendly business at Harborough’s indoor market – and business partner Beth Awdry.
The duo have created a community interest company to run the Eco Village, in a former Plumb Centre in St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough. It opened yesterday.
Beth said: “We’re not a farm shop and we’re not a market.
“We’re unique in that we want to support people who are concerned about the harm being caused to the planet by our 21st century shopping habits.
“There has been a noticeable movement within Market Harborough recently of people joining together to try to reverse the catastrophic effects of climate change.
“Groups like the Eco Church, Sustainable Harborough and Market Harborough Repair Cafe and campaigns like the Plastics Pledge are all helping people to make small changes to their day-to-day lives which, when we all get together, can have a massive impact on our environment.
“So the Eco Village is a way of providing a focal point where people can connect and make a real difference.”
Central to the Eco Village will be a collection of businesses which all aim to provide sustainable products, helping customers to reduce packaging and food miles.
There will be workshops and talks on a range of topics with the aim of helping people to live a more sustainable life.
Refill Revolution will have a bigger shop at the new centre, selling loose dried foods, cleaning products and toiletries, plus pet food and house plants.
Customers can bring their own containers to be refilled.
Beth Lambert said she will continue to support the indoor market by retaining her stall there and directing visitors to the market and other local shops with sustainable credentials in the town.
Businesses have supported the venture by providing donations and work.
Specsavers donated money for the development of a composting area.
Beth Awdry said: “It’s uplifting to have been so positively supported by people within the Harborough community.
“People have given freely of their time to help us and in turn we want to help make a difference to the town.”
There are already plans to turn waste land at the back of the centre into a community garden, and to hold educational events, talks and possibly a pop-up cinema.