As Royal Wootton Bassett locals say goodbye to the Town Pantry, there is a new sustainable business hitting the streets.
The Town Pantry, which has served the community for the last three years in Apsley Arcade, closed its doors for the last time on December 23, 2023.
But as one door closes another one opens, and Louise Cheesman, former employee at the Town Pantry, has chosen to fill the demand for refillable products with her own new business.
The Refill Station, run by Louise, will offer eco-cleaning products, refills, and toiletries to Royal Wootton Bassett residents to help locals reduce their single-use plastic consumption.
The new company will function as a market stall every Wednesday in Royal Wootton Bassett Market as well as a mobile delivery service using Louise’s trusty e-bike and trailer.
Speaking to The Adver about her new business, Louise explained: “I’ve always been a big advocate of recycling and trying to use eco products where I can.
“I was a customer at the Town Pantry pretty much from the start when it was a market stall and I continued to shop at the Pantry when Jo bravely expanded to her beautiful shop.
“I have worked at the Pantry for the last six months and so I was devastated when I heard that it was going to close. I loved the shop so much but it just wasn’t feasible for me to take it on.”
Although Louise, a mother of two, was unable to take over the Town Pantry, she was determined to carry on her work bringing sustainable goods to Royal Wootton Bassett.
“I had wanted an e-bike to keep up with my son, so I thought how about utilising the bike with a trailer to do refills at customers' doorsteps with some eco toiletries and loo rolls," she said.
“Thanks to the amazing support of the local environmental group, I’ve now also got a weekly market stall starting on Wednesday, January 10.”
Despite taking on a lot of the customers from the former Town Pantry, Louise has said that her former colleagues have been nothing but supportive of her new endeavour, with Town Pantry owner Jo Portsmouth even offering up the pantry storage unit.
Many of her textile products have also been supplied by local seamstress Michsmakes.
“All stock has been chosen to try and help reduce single-use plastic as well as being eco-friendly, beautiful by design and fragrance, and most products are vegan too," added Louise.
To try out the Refill Station’s new products and make the switch to greener choices, you can visit the company at the Royal Wootton Bassett Market every Wednesday, or arrange for delivery by emailing refillstationrwb@gmail.com or contacting RWB Refill Station on Facebook.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel