A new north-east business is aiming to meet the demand for more environmentally-friendly shopping.
Megan Scott from Fraserburgh plans to open a new whole foods “refillery” business on the the town’s High Street.
To be named Wholehearted, the shop will stock dried goods, local fresh produce, eco-friendly giftware, refillable household products and toiletries, among other items.
The aim is for it to promote healthy eating, healthy living and zero waste, where possible.
Once open, customers will bring their own containers to fill up with what they need.
The initial plan was to open the shop to the public in the middle of April, only for that to be scuppered by lockdown – an early and not insignificant challenge for a first-time business operator.
Ms Scott said: “It’s definitely been challenging. Finding local suppliers has been nothing in comparison to this.
“I’m staying positive and keeping people updated on Wholehearted’s Facebook page.
“As the situation changes I might consider offering deliveries, but nothing has been set in stone yet.”
Last year Ms Scott conducted market research online and said she was “amazed” by the response.
She said: “This idea has been in my head for a long time and the response from the survey was just unbelievable.
“It highlighted the interest for something like this in the town, offering healthy options.
“Nobody is ever going to be completely perfect when it comes to ‘zero waste’ but it’s little things that will have a big impact.
“People have already made changes like taking their own coffee mugs and taking their own shopping bags with them.”
Once restrictions have been lifted, it’s likely the shop will be open Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm.
However, Ms Scott adds, “It’s about what people in Fraserburgh want” and so the opening hours could be flexible to meet consumer demands.
