7 minute read
Business
Salisbury’s first zero waste shop offers buyers sustainable choices
Words and photo by Tristan Ovington
SALISBURY doesn’t have many zero-waste offerings, but Celeste Skinner, founder and owner of Blueberry Den is hoping to change that.
“The premises in Winchester Street opened 14 months ago, but Blueberry Den began at the end of 2019,” she said. “Most people heard about the shop during lockdown when it was online only, and customers were getting all their plastic-free essentials and refills on their doorstep.”
Values and ethics are central to the philosophy of Blueberry Den. “At Blueberry Den, we focus on sustainability. We offer high-quality items that are ethically sourced, fairly traded and made from sustainable materials using renewable energy.
“We try to deal directly with other small business owners who share similar environmental values and offer affordable plastic-free alternatives as much as possible. We encourage everyone to buy better and buy less. Because with high-quality products, less is more.”
When it comes to stock, Celeste has a lot to offer. “We have a large selection, from food cupboard essentials to refillable cleaning products and natural skin care.
Most people associate Blueberry Den with refills – perhaps because most customers now realise how easy it is to reduce plastic waste that way. But we have so many lovely products. There is something for everyone, even if you are not considering cutting down on waste.
We are based in the city centre on Winchester Street and are open from Tuesday to Saturday. We also offer a delivery service for SP1 and SP2 postcodes and UK-wide shipping.
Collaboration is another value that drives Blueberry Den, as the business seeks to work with the quickly growing set of boutique shops in the vicinity.
Celeste says she is “planning an exciting collaboration with other Winchester Street businesses, which will be revealed soon. Since 2020, Blueberry Den has also had a refill point at Stable Wick Farm Shop in Downton, “which is the perfect match for us in the area and an incredibly supportive business of everything we do.”
Celeste also has big plans for the festive season. “Like many other shops, we will be open on certain days for late-night shopping. This will be a different Christmas for many, and I am hoping our gift vouchers might help. These
Celeste Skinner started Bluberry Den as an online shop in 2019. It’s early success has transferred to its current Winchester Street store
could then be redeemed for food or other essential items that some might be struggling to get – all you have to do is bring your empty containers, and we will fill them up for you.
“We hope to help people change small habits to make a big difference in the world.” www.blueberryden.co.uk/
In-Excess raises over £75k for Hospital Stars Appeal
SALISBURY’S In-Excess has raised over £75k for the Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal.
The money has been donated by the company as well as being raised via the dinosaurs at its store on Netherhampton Road.
Visitors pop a £1 coin into the machine and then watch the dinosaurs move and listen to them roar, bringing kids (and adults!) great amusement while raising funds for the Stars Appeal.
Owner Carl Chambers, said: “Over the years our brilliant customers have helped us raise this great amount of money for our fantastic hospital. Our donations have gone towards a breast screening cancer unit, the new Birth Centre and many more key fundraising projects.
“I am proud to continue to help our local hospital which provides such a great service.”
Visit In-Excess on Netherhampton Road to see the dinosaurs and help with the fundraising.
IN return for a donation to the Hospice, the Charity will collect real trees from homes and businesses, and take these to local farms that help with the chipping and composting, or in some cases they are used as food for alpacas and goats.
Salisbury Hospice exists to support patients with terminal and life limiting illnesses. The Charity needs to raise £1.5 million each year of the £2.9 million annual running costs. This would not be possible without the generous support we receive from our local community.
After costs, 90% of all monies raised will go to Salisbury Hospice Charity, the remaining 10% will be distributed to charities in the local community.
Collections will be made between January 13-15, 2023, in the following postcodes: SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP9 and new for this year SP11 7, SP11 8, SO20 6, SO20 8
Registrations open on November 15 and close on January 8. Charityxmastreecollection.com
Business
Yoga Stuff open and already proving a serenely successful business
Words and photo by Tristan Ovington
YOGA teacher Ilona Burns has opened Salisbury’s first yoga shop in The Maltings.
“Since I started yoga teaching, many of my students and friends found buying online very frustrating,” Ilona recalls. “Either because there was too much choice and no advice, or they would purchase something only to find it wasn’t what they wanted. As a result, students asked me to buy their equipment and clothing. I’ve wanted to create a welcoming yoga-themed space for a while, which gave me the focus.
“Now we have been open for a while, we have many loyal customers. We just started stocking pilates gear for local students and have expanded our clothing range. We also have many different items to aid meditation, such as sage and palo santo and a selection of meditation cushions, stools and blankets. And the cherry on the cake is Dirty Cow’s dairy-free chocolate which we now proudly offer.”
Ilona continues to offer her classes, as this was where her passion for yoga began. “None of our classes are the same,” says Ilona. “From Monday men’s classes with Panthera Dance Co to gentle Friday morning yoga at Breamore Village Hall, there is something for everyone.”
Despite the increased costs of living, Yoga Stuff remains serenely successful. “We have many happy return customers and are so grateful for how quickly word spreads about Yoga Stuff. We love hearing someone tell us they discovered us via a friend or family member. Our chai tea is particularly popular now with the colder weather too. And we will soon release our clothing line for men and women.”
So what does Ilona have planned for Christmas? “We are opening late on Thursdays and throughout December. Plus, we will
Ilona Burns was inspired to start her business by the students who couldn’t find the right equipment elsewhere
offer spiced apple juice and mulled wine and delicious mulling syrup so you can make your own at home. We are creating an area of the shop filled with stocking filler gifts, and secret Santa presents to make your festive shopping a doddle. We also offer a wrapping service. Keep an eye out for our festive window display, which will go up on November 12” https://www.yoga-stuff.co.uk/
LEADING law firm Trethowans, which has offices on London Street, Salisbury, has once again been named as one of The Times Best Law Firms – the newspaper’s annual list of the top 200 legal practices in England and Wales.
Put together by international market research company Statista, the list is based on responses from thousands of solicitors, who vote for their most highly regarded lawyers and firms across a range of categories covering business, public and private client services.
Solicitors cannot vote for themselves and can only vote once in the survey, which is then used to create a definitive list of the most respected lawyers and firms in the industry.
Talking of the achievement, Trethowans’ managing partner Mike Watson, said: “We’re thrilled to have made The Times Best Law Firms list once again. “I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us and congratulate our hardworking team, who always go above and beyond to ensure we provide excellent service for all our clients.”
The award comes shortly after Trethowans was recognised in the Legal 500 last month, achieving top tier status in the renowned legal directory for services in Corporate and Commercial, Licensing, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence (claimant) and Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate.
Trethowans was also recommended by the Chambers Guide 2023, with multiple teams ranked including a UK ranking for its defendant personal injury work.
The firm has been offering legal services to businesses and individuals in the south for over 150 years with offices in Southampton, Salisbury, Poole, Bournemouth and Winchester.
Trethowans’ managing partner Mike Watson
