Topsham shop is best in Britain

(Bar one)

An Exeter zero waste shop is the best small shop in the country, second only to a gift shop in the Midlands.

Nourish Zero Waste, a packaging-free, provisions store in Topsham won the accolade from the Independent Retailers' Confederation.

Its judges say Nourish Zero Waste is “clearly an innovative business working hard to engage with the local community.” They liked the drive and determination about this business, its pioneering spirit, calling it “cause-driven, honest, authentic, and energetic”, noting the amount of single use plastic the shop has eliminated from the local area. They added: "The use of technology to make the business smarter and the collaborative approach with others during lockdown is really impressive.”

The shop's owner Sarah Martin says: “It’s really hard to find independent shops. It’s much easier to find a supermarket. So, to have one central online location where you can look for independent shops in your town is a brilliant idea. To be named as runner-up in the Best Small Shops Award is incredible and for zero waste shops to be recognised in a national award is really important and will bring them higher in people’s consciousness. I’m so proud of it. We’ve put so much work in; my team is incredible, and this is great for all of them.”

Ms Martin has a second store too in Magdalen Road. The aim of both is to offer an alternative shopping experience to people who are keen to reduce their use of packaging and plastics, opt for healthier ingredients and start their journey to a more sustainable way of life.

They sell more than 240 products by weight, as well as 200 non-food items. Customers can buy as much or little as they like. Each sale counts as one piece of plastic and the shop estimates it has saved 150,000 pieces so far. A loyalty scheme rewards customers using reusable containers with a £5 discount, which they can use this or donate to charity. It sources many products from suppliers within a ten mile radius from dried chillis from Woodbury to tea from Dartmoor.