Photo YEP
The business is permanently closed.
Since the birth of my kids I very much became aware of the environmental impact of having children and how can we help reduce that - so we got stuff in that is reusable for babies and from there we just escalated and we thought 'why not run a whole shop?
This shop in Hyde Park corner became available, and I thought this is the perfect place to be - students, families, it's a lovely area.
I used money from an inheritance to set up Leeds Refills zero waste shop. Customers can either bring in their own containers or use paper bags from the shop and fill them up with items such as dry food goods, toiletries, household cleaners, kitchen and homeware.
Photo YEP
I used to work for Leeds City Council's Breeze programme and for Eureka! in Halifax, and I also set up a Zero Waste pop-up shop in Fabrication Crafts on Albion Street, which is still going.
It's been a really hard knock with lockdown as people have not been able to be as plastic free, ethical and environmentally conscious as they wish they could be. And it's just now about spreading awareness and starting conversations. People often have questions about how they can help and I' m more than happy to be that conduit for the community.
I regularly go litter-picking with my five-year-old daughter Imogen, and I hope the shop will become a hub for people who are interested in reducing their single-use plastic intake.
I'm not in this to make millions of pounds. As long as I can break even, have a bit of fun doing that and help the community - that's my dream.
Ian Thursfield
Leeds Refills
5 The Crescent, Hyde Park Corner
Leeds LS6 2NW
https://leedsrefills.co.uk/
To see the article on Leeds Refills by Joe Cooper in the YEP on 14 April (in print 16 April), click here
