'We need it now': Northampton businesswoman behind zero waste shop widens search for premises

A woman whose journey to finding the right premises for her zero waste shop dream is widening her search.

Kerry Leese was due to open her shop, Food for Thought, just off Kingsley Park Terrace in July, but had to go back to the drawing board when the building’s owners decided they needed the space to make sure their own business is socially distant.

With a target in her mind to open this year, Kerry is now looking for premises across the whole of Northamptonshire after drawing a blank in Northampton.

Once she has found a building, Kerry is hoping her zero waste shop will cut out single-use plastic and encourage customers to bring their own containers to buy staples such as pasta and rice, as well as cleaning products.The 34-year-old said: “It’s been so difficult and there has been lots of ups and downs so I’ve had to widen my search.

“I’ve seen lots of options but due to various factors they have just not come off, so I’m looking for somewhere new.

“But I am still going to aim to open by the end of the year, because we need it now and we need to be reducing plastics.”

As Kerry searches for a building, she has also launched a Crowdfunder to help her raise funds to support the business.

Although she feels that she can get started with the money she is putting in herself, she would like to be able to deliver a greater offering for customers as soon as she opens.

As part of a BackHer campaign by Natwest to support female entrepreneurs, if Kerry can reach her target with one hundred people supporting her, the amount raised will be matched by the bank up to £5,000.

Kerry added: “The Crowdfunder has been launched, which is exciting and terrifying for me.

“I can get started with what I am putting in but I want to have a better offering for people, so it’s supplementary rather than all or nothing.

“I want to show people that they can get a huge amount of their weekly shop from me.

“I would thank anyone for any support, whether that’s sharing or financial. It really does mean the world to me, especially when I’m sat in the living room with a toddler running around trying to find time to do it all.

“We need tangible change to sort the situation out. It’s hard to give up single use plastic, but it’s for nature, wildlife and us. We really need to do something about it now.”

To support Kerry’ zero waste shop, visit her Crowfunder and to find out more search Food for Thought on Facebook.

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