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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
29 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Nigel Farage's Robin Hood-style tax policy for non-doms that would benefit low-paid Scots
The proposals would see non-doms paying a one-off fee to avoid paying taxes in the UK. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Nigel Farage is poised to announce a new Robin-Hood-style tax policy that would offer non-doms the chance to avoid paying taxes by paying a one-off fee. Under the proposals, non-doms would pay £250,000 and the revenue generated would go directly to the lowest-paid workers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The party says the move would favour workers in Scotland where the base line pay is lowest and there is a larger share of low-paid jobs. Nigel Farage MP Non-domiciles are UK residents whose permanent home is abroad. If they pay this fee they would be given a Britannia card which would allow them to avoid paying tax on any wealth, income or capital gains earned overseas, and avoid paying inheritance tax. They would be allowed to renew their Britannia card every 10 years at no extra cost. Non-doms would still be charged tax on any UK-sourced income and gains. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Farage said all revenue generated from the payments would be transferred by HMRC directly to the bank accounts of the lowest-earning 10 per cent of full-time workers. This would be tax free and transferred within 90 days of the end of each financial year. It is estimated around 2.5 million workers across the UK whose full-time salary is less than £23,000 would be given around £600 if 6,000 non-doms paid for a Britannia card. This amount would change annually depending on how many non-doms take up the offer. Mr Farage said the policy would reverse the exodus of wealthy individuals. He points to a study by Oxford Economics, which found the non-doms it had surveyed had invested £8.4 billion in the UK, with each individual investing an average of £118m. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Reform UK leader said: 'We are going to encourage those that have left to come back. They are entrepreneurs, wealth creators and big spenders. We are going to repair the social contract.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Deputy Leader Richard Tice at a press conference in Aberdeen last week (Picture:) This is the latest announcement from the party that bids to set out Reform's economic credentials, in the event it formed the next UK government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering watering down Labour's plans to scrap the non-dom tax loophole amid concerns about the exodus. However, a spokesperson for the Labour Party said the Reform policy would be a "return to the chaos of Liz Truss'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The spokesperson said: 'Nigel Farage can brand this whatever he wants - the reality is his first proper policy is a golden ticket for foreign billionaires to avoid the tax they owe in this country. 'As ever with Reform, the devil is in the details.
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Brits will munch through 1,771 croissants in a lifetime, research reveals
Three in 10 don't think they should cost more than £1 | Shutterstock Brits will munch through 1,771 croissants in a lifetime, according to research. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A poll of 2,000 adults found they treat themselves to two of the flaky pastries each month. But three in 10 don't think they should cost more than £1, even though some high street bakeries are selling them for as much as £2.80. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In response, Asda has commissioned an oversized croissant - in a playful jab at other high street bakery chains. It has launched a one-off version that is five times bigger than standard - to echo the difference in price between the baked goods at different retailers. With the supermarket's single serve in-store bakery snack priced at only 53p as opposed to closer to £3 for a similar product at some outlets. A spokesperson from Asda said: "We had so much fun creating this giant croissant. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We want to make sure the tasty French snack is accessible to all and will now be selling single-serve croissants in our new bakery counter for five times less than some other bakery chains. "The price of such a simple item has risen considerably in recent years, and so we wanted to raise awareness off this using non-other than a giant version.' Asda has created a croissant five times bigger than standard | Dave Phillips/PinPep Asda's oversized croissant points out huge price differences It comes after the research found 37 per cent like to buy theirs from the supermarket, either pre-packaged, or from the bakery counter. And 17 per cent believe they'd struggle to tell apart a supermarket made one, from a handmade artisanal effort. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Furthermore, 56 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, consider it important that a croissant is authentically French, crafted using Gallic techniques and ingredients. The spokesperson for Asda added: 'There's something undeniably comforting about a croissant - that perfect balance of crisp, flaky pastry and soft, buttery layers inside. 'Over the years, croissants have gone from being a continental treat to a firm favourite in British households and cafés, and it's easy to see why. 'They bring a touch of indulgence to even the simplest of mornings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In the UK, we've wholeheartedly embraced the croissant – not just as a breakfast staple, but as a versatile snack throughout the day.
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
Brexit rules spark ‘clear demand' for more motorhome parking, lobby group says
More overnight parking options for campervans and motorhomes are needed in the UK to meet growing demand caused by post-Brexit travel restrictions, according to a lobby group. Boosting provision for these vehicles would generate more revenue for local businesses and increase the number of visitors to tourist destinations outside the peak summer season, the Campaign for Real Aires (Campra) said. Aires is a French word used to describe designated stopping places for motorcaravans – the collective term for motorhomes and campervans – which are much more common in continental Europe than the UK. PA Media Motorhomes by the sea in Italy (Alamy/PA). Post-Brexit rules mean UK passport holders are prohibited from being in the Schengen area – which covers most of the European Union and some other European nations – for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. That means many UK-based motorcaravan users are seeking domestic destinations for overnight trips. But a survey of 6,731 users suggested 88% are dissatisfied with the UK's availability of overnight parking in desirable locations. The poll also indicated that motorcaravaners spend an average of £51 per day in local businesses and £23 per night on overnight parking or campsite fees. Many respondents commented on the UK's lack of infrastructure and welcoming attitude compared with continental Europe, Campra said. Last month, Hampshire County Council approved plans to ban campervans and motorhomes from staying overnight at the south coast beauty spot of Keyhaven, near Lymington. It claimed the move would 'bring order' to the area. Campra managing director Steve Haywood said welcoming motorcaravans to an area 'can be a hugely positive move'. He went on: 'There is a clear demand – emphasised by post-Brexit travel restrictions – for more overnight stay options in UK towns and cities, and those towns and cities could benefit hugely by embracing motorcaravans. 'More councils are seeing the benefits of providing facilities, instead of suffering the cost of enforcement and bans, not to mention the loss of potential revenue to businesses. 'In Fleetwood, Lancashire, for example, the introduction of overnight parking in the seafront car park for £5 per night has seen a huge boost in revenue for local shops, and has been so successful that additional facilities are now being planned for motorcaravanners. 'Every council that has operated a 12-month trial aire has been successful and made the overnight parking permanent.' Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures show more than 416,000 motorcaravans are registered in the UK. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: 'Policies around overnight motorcaravan parking and the provision of facilities are a matter for local councils.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
