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Over 600 products, zero waste: Ipswich's only refill shop gets a new lease of life

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When Beren Matheson Nowell learned that Ipswich's only refill shop was at risk of closing, the words "I'll do it" tumbled out of his mouth before he had truly processed what taking over a business would mean.

That spontaneous moment of commitment has ensured that this beloved independent business continues to serve its community from it's store on Woodbridge Road.

Unwrapped & Refill, established in 2021, reopened under new ownership on Wednesday, 2 April, with eager customers showing their support by turning out in impressive numbers.

Beren outside Unwrapped & Refill, formerly Lucy's Unwrapped & Refill
Beren outside Unwrapped & Refill, formerly Lucy's Unwrapped & RefillOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

From redundancy to shop owner

"I was made redundant in February 2024, and asked Lucy [the previous owner] if there was a chance I could work in the shop one day a week," Beren explains.

Originally from "drab suburban outer London," Beren moved to Ipswich via Norfolk four years ago and has developed a genuine affection for the town and its community. Working at Unwrapped & Refill quickly became more than just a job.

"I thoroughly enjoyed working in the shop, getting to know the customers, and feeling like I was making a difference, however small, in helping the community to make more sustainable choices."

So when the opportunity to take ownership arose, the decision came naturally – if unexpectedly.

A community rallies

The transition to new ownership wasn't a solo effort. Beren speaks warmly of the encouragement received from customers and a group of supporters he dubs "community lenders."

"The shop is beloved by our customers, and there has been strong support to keep it going. They, along with four people, who I call my 'community lenders' – namely Robert Marsland, Joy Allen, Melody Shaw and Sandrine Malfait – have encouraged me along the way, and I am so grateful to them for their vote of confidence."

Beren manning the till at Unwrapped & Refill
Beren manning the till at Unwrapped & RefillOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

This community spirit extends to the day-to-day atmosphere in the shop. While Beren acknowledges that shopping at a refill store requires more effort than grabbing packaged goods off supermarket shelves, the social experience makes up for it.

"People are so friendly, and we all end up chatting to one another, which you just don't get at the supermarket, or online shopping."

Sustainable shopping made simple

For the uninitiated, Unwrapped & Refill offers a range of food (both dried and frozen), cleaning products, toiletries and treats – with an impressive 600 products in total. The business aims to source as much as possible from local suppliers and operates on a "closed loop" system, where empty containers are returned to suppliers for washing and reuse.

While Beren isn't planning radical changes, there are plans to reorganise the shop into clearer "departments" to make products easier to find. There's also an intention to phase out the minimal non-vegetarian products over time, reflecting the environmental benefits of reduced meat consumption.

For those curious about refill shopping but intimidated by the concept, Beren offers reassuring advice:

"Start small – pick one item you could easily swap, and go from there. We always have spare tubs, jars and bags for you to use, so don't be afraid to pop in to case the joint, even if you don't have a beautiful set of Kilner jars at the beginning.

"You'll soon find more and more items at Unwrapped & Refill that you can add to your shopping list – and every swap you make makes a difference," he adds.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Beren isn't running the shop alone. Megan, an Ipswich local who was looking for more meaningful work, has joined the team and will be the main "face" of the shop, working at least three days a week.

"We share a similar sense of humour, and we have a good laugh," says Beren. "I think the customers have taken well to her."

Beren will continue to work in the shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays while handling behind-the-scenes responsibilities, and the team is looking to add a "floater" who can work one day a week and provide holiday cover.

The bottom line

In an age of online shopping and disposable consumerism, Unwrapped & Refill stands as a reminder of retail's potential to build community while addressing environmental concerns. While Beren admits refill shopping requires more effort, he points out that their products are often cheaper than mid-range supermarkets while matching them in quality.

With the business already profitable, Beren hints at ambitious future plans: "To entice more customers from across the town to shop more sustainably...who knows – I may open another branch in good time!"

For now, though, the focus is on ensuring that Ipswich's much-loved refill shop continues to thrive under its new ownership – one sustainable swap at a time.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

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500 mobile phones donated to support domestic abuse victims in East Anglia

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Virgin Media O2 Business has donated over 500 mobile phones to help survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault across East Anglia, including Suffolk.

Why it matters: The donated devices will enable vulnerable people to contact support services, emergency services and family members when their own phones have been broken or confiscated by perpetrators.

The phones will be distributed to Leeway, Catch-22, and Mountain Healthcare support services across five counties – Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Some devices will come with free SIM cards and mobile data from the National Databank, which was founded by Virgin Media O2 and the digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation. The National Databank is described as "like a food bank but for free data, texts and calls, helping to connect people in need."

Leeway

Leeway provides support to adults and young people looking to break free from domestic abuse in Suffolk and Norfolk.

The background: The donation comes as part of Virgin Media O2 Business's social value commitment through a recent police contract with 7F Commercial Services.

7F Commercial Services uses collaborative buying power for seven police forces in the eastern region, including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, to obtain better value for money from their contracts.

What they're saying: Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: "Supporting victims is a key responsibility for me as Police and Crime Commissioner. We commission many services to support victims to help them cope with the immediate impact of crime, and, as far as possible, recover from the effects.

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk
PCC

"I absolutely support this 'social benefits' approach. Funding is always tight and anything we can do to work with the commercial sector to access additional funding to support this work gets my full support.

"I know from speaking to victims just how devastating it is to be denied something as basic as the ability to talk to family and friends. I hope these phones provide a useful lifeline for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault to feel more secure and less isolated."

Charlotte Hails, Head of Public Sector Vertical Strategy at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: "As a former senior police officer who specialised in Safeguarding and Public Protection, I know first-hand that mobile phones and connectivity are critical to ensuring victims and survivors are not isolated and can receive support.

"By partnering with local organisations in East Anglia, Virgin Media O2 Business is helping ensure victims and survivors receive the smartphones and data they need. This builds on our commitment to support police forces and communities across the UK to improve public safety and reduce crime."

The bottom line: The initiative aims to reduce isolation among victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault by providing them with secure means of communication through donated mobile devices.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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