EXCITING NEW STORE FOR ECO-SAVVY SHOPPERS
Eco-enthusiast Johann Bridges is indulging her passion for helping the environment, with the launch of a new venture in uphill Lincoln.
News follows Chartered Surveyor Banks Long & Co leasing a retail unit on Bailgate to Johann, who is busy stocking her shelves ready for the Lincoln Eco Pantry to open on December 14.
It’s an exciting time for the new retailer, whose friend Alex Capper will be working alongside her in the shop, which aims to be a winner with environmentally-conscious shoppers who want to see a reduction in the use of plastic.
“We are going to be a zero-waste store, selling all sorts of essential eco-friendly household products, toiletries and foodstuff, including organic and ethically-sourced goods,” said Johann.
“We are encouraging people to pop in with their own containers to fill with liquid and dry products (although she will have containers for people who need them). Shoppers will be able to fill these with liquid and dry products, such as washing-up liquid, laundry detergent, past, rice, sugar and cereals.
“In addition, we are also going to be stocking locally-produced handmade soaps, toiletries, sweets, chocolates and honey.”
Johann started out by upcycling furniture at home, then decided she wanted to do something else. At one point, she and another friend were proposing to open a café, but that idea fell through, then the combination of belonging to the zero-waste community on Facebook and tuning-in to Blue Planet II on television, sparked the idea for the new shop.
“Originally, I looked for premises in the lower High Street but when I spotted the Bailgate shop and noticed it was empty, I realised it would be ideal for my new venture,” she said.
“It is located in a great part of the city, which attracts local shoppers and visitors, and hosts farmer’s markets. I feel confident that my business will complement the local butchers and greengrocer already trading in this area.”
Banks Long & Co Director James Butcher said: “We are delighted to have let this unit, which enjoys a highly visible position in Bailgate, to Johann.
“Her new shop will add to the diverse nature of businesses in this historic shopping and tourist area and we wish her every success for the future. It is a promising sign that, despite the impact of the Pandemic on the wider retail/leisure market across the country, there are still people like Johann who have enough belief in their concept to want to open new premises despite the gloomy economic backdrop.
“I have to say that, as property agents we have been pleasantly surprised with the number of serious enquires we continue to receive from other retailers/café & restaurant operators wanting to open in the City, which confirms the underlying strength of Lincoln in a wider regional context.”