Earthian Zero Waste Shop, in Parchment Street, will shut its doors with its last day of trading on Saturday, January 25.
In a video posted to its Facebook page, Earthian owner Katie Campling said she made the decision to close due to rising costs, as well as her having to take time to recover from giving birth in November.
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Earthian Zero Waste Shop (Image: Chris Atkinson) Ms Campling said: “It has been a joy, for me, to run (the shop) for these last four years. So much of that is down to this community and the shared passion we have for sustainability, for people and for the planet.
“Unfortunately, financially, things have been incredibly difficult. We have just about been surviving since we opened doors and I’ve put so much into it to try and keep it going but I just have not been able to make it thrive in the way that it should. This last year in particular, our costs have risen considerably, and our sales have sadly just dwindled. We started to fall behind, and at this point, I think it’s the right decision for us to start to wind things down.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been involved in the business in any way, whether you just shared a few of our posts or whether you came into the shop regularly. I have loved the time that I spent behind the counter. I consider the people that I’ve met my friends, and I’ve shared so much of myself and received so much from you in return.
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Katie Campling at the Business Excellence Awards in 2021, receiving the award for Best New Business
“I’m going to really miss it, but it is the right decision.”
Earthian Zero Waste Shop stocks more than 120 foods and more than 30 liquids for cleaning and personal care that customers can refill from directly.
The shop won Best New Business at the Business Excellence Awards in 2021.
Dr Paul Spencer, executive director of Winchester BID, said: “We are saddened by the news that Earthian Zero Waste Shop will be closing in Parchment Street. Katie and her team should be very proud of what they have achieved at the shop which has attracted a lot of interest and happy customers over the past four years as well as winning two Winchester Business Excellence Awards in 2021. The shop will be missed and we wish them the very best for the future.”