Tavistock Refillery
Tavistock Refillery CIC opened on Market Street in Tavistock in September 2023 - run by the community for the community.
Tavistock Refillery aims to help reduce the use of plastic, by offering a shop where people can purchase ethically sourced goods without packaging. It’s staffed by a knowledgeable and friendly group of volunteers and a part-time manager who ensure the shop is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, so customers can count on being able to shop there. It’s also becoming a hub for all things environmental, with information about climate change and ecological support groups, services and events. However on top of all this - it’s a very attractive and inviting shop with an excellent range of goods to browse!
Jar closed in Tavistock in February last year, after the owners decided to concentrate on their Plymouth shop. Yet there was still a strong belief in the need for a refill shop and a strong support base with plenty of people in the community committed to environmental sustainability. A group of former customers, including Sally Anne Walker, Simon Church and Katherine Wing decided they had no choice but to pick up the baton and continue to help people shop plastic-free. The team’s combined experience in retail, finance, and law gave them a sound understanding of the challenges involved, as well as the expertise required to set up and run the venture; while their passion for the environment and creating a more sustainable future gave them the drive needed to get it off the ground. A successful crowdfunder raised more than the £10,000 target for set-up costs, demonstrating a strong level of interest within the local community, and providing the funding required to establish Tavistock Refillery Community Interest Company as a shop operating on a not-for-profit basis.
As you enter the shop your eyes are drawn to a wall lined with containers of dried products – both organic and non-organic - holding everything from nuts to lentils, beans, pasta and muesli, followed by an exotic array of dried fruits, even dried white mulberries, interspersed with wall art and Radical Tea Towels. On the opposite wall you’ll find the cleaning station where you can top up on a wide selection of environmentally-friendly toiletries, as well as laundry and household cleaning liquids – guaranteed not to contain ‘nasties’. It’s also the only place in Devon where you’ll find powdered oat milk for sale. By the window there’s a full range of vegan cosmetics and testers, and as you approach the counter you’ll be forgiven if your attention strays to the chocolate covered coffee beans and ginger, yogurt coated peanuts and raisins, not to mention the fruit jellies and fudge. In the middle of the shop though, sits the most extravagant storage shelf of all – a grand piano, courtesy of Mount Kelly, brimming with herbs and spices, and just waiting to inspire a passing pianist to sit down and play a tune or two.
How does it work?
It’s really very simple. You bring along your reusable containers - anything from recycled jam jars to bottles and boxes. You weigh your container on the scales in the shop and write the weight on it. You then fill it with as little or as much of the product as you want and take it to the counter, where the assistant weighs it, subtracts the container weight, and gives you a price. The assistant will also be very happy to do all this for you if you prefer, and the shop often has a few containers and paper bags if you’ve forgotten yours, or you end up buying more than you intended and need more.
Products have been carefully researched and sourced to maintain the Refillery ethos of zero plastic and zero waste, without compromising on taste or quality. The product offering is continually evolving and requests for new products are always considered.
The staff maintain a rigorous cleaning regime in the shop: all dispensing containers are washed between refills, and all the floors and surfaces are cleaned down regularly. The team were delighted that the Refillery received the highest rating of 5 in a recent spot-check food hygiene inspection.
Events
Friday is ‘Chai Day’ and Saturday is ‘Natter Day’ (alternative names for Saturday are probably still being accepted!) but customers can be sure of special treats in store with cups of steaming masala chai and cinnamon buns or other tasty cakes available. The shop has already hosted a musical evening, as well as a candlelit event for Earth Hour and there are plans to introduce talks among future events.
Volunteers
Apart from the part-time manager, everyone in the shop is a volunteer and without volunteers the shop couldn’t operate. Current volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and the shop operates smoothly without a management structure as everyone contributes ideas. New volunteers are always welcome no matter how much time they can offer and whether they have any previous experience. You can sign up to volunteer by popping into the shop and leaving your contact details.
Eighteen months ago, this entrepreneurial team couldn’t have imagined they would be helping to run a community shop – but they are very glad they took it on! They have helped to make an alternative way of shopping possible - ‘shopping with soul’ as they call it - and in the process they have created a honeypot for people interested in helping the environment, creative spirits, and people who just love good quality food. So next time you’re passing, take a look inside - you’ll receive a warm welcome!
Rosemary Best
Tavistock Refillery can be found at 4 Market St, Tavistock, PL19 0DA; for details visit tavistockrefillery.co.uk; Facebook: tavistockrefillery or Instagram