Bognor’s new eco store provides hand sanitiser for vulnerable people amid coronavirus outbreak

A new eco store in Bognor Regis is ensuring vulnerable people in the community can access alcohol hand gel amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The EcoSwap shop in BognorThe EcoSwap shop in Bognor
The EcoSwap shop in Bognor

EcoSwap, which recently opened in the High Street, Bognor Regis, has gone through 100 litres of hand sanitiser since Thursday alone.

The gel is stocked at its refill station, so that people can re-use their existing bottles and help cut down on plastic waste.

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Despite the high demand, the shop has provided supplies to ShopMobility, the Capital Project Trust and Stonepillow free of charge.

The shop is well stocked with toilet paper and hand gelThe shop is well stocked with toilet paper and hand gel
The shop is well stocked with toilet paper and hand gel

Some is also going to local doctors’ surgeries.

Gemma Hawkins, one of the four directors of EcoSwap, said they wanted to ensure those who need it in the community – such as immuno-compromised or other vulnerable people – are able to access it.

She said: “They can’t get any anywhere.

“Even if people disagree that its effective protection, if it gives people peace of mind, that’s really important.”

The shop has a ‘large supply’ and is ‘adamant’ that it will not increase prices, she said, so that everyone in the community can remain protected.

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“We’ve not increased our prices – a 50ml refill is still £1, the same as in Poundland,” she said.

The shop has also welcomed a large delivery of toilet roll – another commodity which is in high demand from customers.

With the coronavirus outbreak putting pressure on the economy, Miss Hawkins said it was more important than ever to shop locally.

All the profits at Ecoswap, which is a community interest company, go towards community projects.

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Ecoswap was founded last June by Miss Hawkins and Amanda Hine, Khloe Guppy and Rebecca Rowland.

Miss Hawkins said: “We all wanted to do something that would improve the community and encourage people to make eco-friendly swaps in an affordable way.”

As well as selling eco-friendly products and hosting a refill station, the shop also has a classroom for workshops on a range of themes, from repairing clothes to creating community gardens.

Miss Hawkins said the community response to the new shop so far had been ‘amazing’.

Find out more at www.ecoswapstore.com/

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