Support the High Street

Many people were sad to hear the recent news that Colemans are to close their stores in Stamford and Oakham. One of the reasons given for the store closures was the difficulty faced by independent retailers when competing against large online businesses. The family owned stationery business started in 1969 in Northamptonshire.

Annabel from the All Good Market in Stamford has written a powerful article, encouraging us all to support the High Street when making our shopping choices. Read Annabel’s article here. The All Good Market is a zero waste shop based on St Pauls Street, in Stamford’s “Green Quarter.” As well as providing plastic free products for your kitchen and bathroom, the All Good Market also supports local farmers, bakers and coffee roasters.

Oakham also has an excellent zero waste shop. The Rutland Refill community shop is based on the corner of Oakham High Street and Westgate Street. Rutland Refill sells plastic-free products, sources as local as possible and aims to reduce food waste. They sell dry food, household products and toiletries and are expanding their range to include a frozen section, delicatessen counter, fruit and vegetables, orange juice/coffee machines and chilled milk dispensers.