4 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Natural Weigh, Wales' first zero waste shop, on the move
WALES' first zero waste shop is expanding into new premises after eight years.
Natural Weigh first opened its doors in the Corn Exchange on Crickhowell 's High Street in 2018, with the historic former pub bought by the community to prevent it being turned into a national-chain supermarket.
The community-owned building provided a secure and supportive site for the shop to get established.
Despite a turbulent few years through Covid, the Ukraine war affecting the price of products and Brexit, Natural Weigh has found a home in the Powys town and managed to thrive.
Natural Weigh led the way for zero waste shopping in Wales as the first of its kind in the country. The shop focusses on organic wholefoods and refillable cleaning products and tries to support as many local producers as possible in the area.
All products are sold entirely free from single use plastic. Customers are encouraged to bring their own, reusable containers to refill with anything from porridge oats to walnuts, all sold by weight.
Natural Weigh is now moving across the road, into a larger premises which used to be the town's bakery.
The remarkable story of the local community coming together to buy the old Corn Exchange is one of the reasons Natural Weigh owners Robin and Chloe Masefield chose to open in Crickhowell.
'It was really important for us to remain in Crickhowell, ' said co-owner Robin.
'We have built up such a strong customer base here and the community have been so welcoming, that we couldn't leave.'
Chloe added: 'One of our favourite things about Crickhowell, and possibly the reason we have done so well, is that there is a complete offering on the high street for all your shopping needs.
'With the bakery closing we were concerned that this would change the whole feel of the town.
'While we recognise that Natural Weigh is not a bakery, we will continue to sell products from The Angel Bakery in Abergavenny, and we are determined that local bread is still available on the High Street.
'We will also be bringing in a local cook to bake some products on site.'
With the extra space in the new shop, Natural Weigh will also be adding to their range, with organic wine on tap, frozen British berries by the scoop, sweet and savoury treats baked on site and sourdough and focaccia sandwiches to go.
The new premises will be open from this Wednesday, June 4. The shop will be closed Monday and Tuesday this week, while the move is being completed.
