I was really sad to hear that independent, plastic-free shop Heart and Soul ceased trading last month.

Started by 21-year-old Helenna in 2019 in Exmouth’s Indoor Market, it provided the town with a fully package-free option; selling a huge range of goods such as pasta, cereal, dried fruit and nuts to name just a few alongside cleaning products, shampoo and conditioner.

Customers brought in their own containers filled them with exactly the quantity of product they needed, eliminating the need for single-use packaging.

I spent many a happy shopping trip getting plastic-free coffee, dried mango, washing-up liquid and more and getting to know both Helenna and her mum Dawn.

When the coronavirus pandemic meant the market had to close, Heart and Soul, like many independent businesses, had to adapt.

They switched to online shopping providing both a click-and-collect and delivery service.

Products remained plastic-free delivered in paper or home-compostable plant film.

Regular readers of this column will know, I have mentioned Heart and Soul as a source of plastic-free items many times.

Plus, for me, as I have been unable to get to the shops much, their delivery service became a crucial way of getting my family fed!

Unfortunately, due to the effect of Covid-19 and other influences, Heart and Soul closed at the end of February and will be sadly missed in Exmouth.

I’d like to thank Helenna and Dawn for all they have done in raising the profile of plastic-free shopping in Exmouth and for providing such a reliable and friendly service. I wish you all the best for the future.

Don’t give up Exmouth waste warriors!

We still have a wide range of ways of buying items without single-use plastic available in our town so let’s support our small businesses and keep them afloat during the pandemic.

I’d recommend you check out Zero in Chapel Street and Mother Earth in the Strand and for Budleigh Salterton readers, head to Budleigh Unwrapped on the High Street.

Let’s help these businesses weather the Covid storm and protect our planet from the devastating effects of plastic pollution.

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