Loan helps Eco Republic bring eco-friendly retail to Buxton
Entrepreneur Susan Wright is investing in an eco-lifestyle retail store in Buxton, Derbyshire with help from a £20k loan from Business Finance Solutions.
BFS is the the North West delivery partner of the government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme and a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Eco Republic at The Cavendish Arcade in Buxton sells a wide range of eco-friendly gifts and homeware made from recycled and sustainable materials, the majority of which is Fair Trade and sourced from around the globe.
There is also an eclectic selection of locally hand crafted goods available along with a range of electric bicycles and cycling accessories. A varied range of items, from clocks and cushions to e-bikes and bowls, are also available to buy on the Eco Republic website.
After more than 25 years career in retail, Susan, who lives in the local area, wanted to create her own unique store environment that would allow her to further develop the range of gifts and homeware and promote quality eco-lifestyle products to a wider audience.
Future plans for the business include forging more partnerships with local artisans, developing the website and social media pages and instigating a promotion and marketing strategy for Eco Republic. The loan from BFS has also helped fund a new look for the store, bringing it up to date with a modern, contemporary feel.
Susan said: “Having worked in retail for most of my life, I’ve founded, developed and managed very successful shops and now, thanks to the Start Up Loan and support from the BFS team, I’ve been able to create my own concept store that brings something very different to the area.
“Buxton is home to a very active artistic, arts and crafts community who appreciate and support an eco-lifestyle and many visitors to the town are pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to purchase handmade and unique items that also have eco credentials. This is the only store in Buxton dedicated to shopping ‘responsibly’ and is proof that green living can be both stylish and beautiful.
“I want to continue to explore the exciting goods that are on offer and build the range that we stock, both in the store and online, and support and grow our relationships with other local designers and craftspeople.”
BFS will see £15 million allocated to new start-ups across the North West over a two year period, creating around 3,000 new businesses and over 5,000 new jobs in the region.
Alex Mearns, Loan Manager at BFS which is part of the The Growth Company, said: “Susan typifies a real trend that we are seeing with start ups at the moment as more and more people access the financial and practical support that is out there to enable them to become their own boss.
“Susan knows the Buxton community well and has seen a number of artisan and specialist businesses set up and flourish here. The authenticity and diversity of her business model, coupled with the finance and the practical support that we have worked closely with her to provide, put her in a great position to build and grow Eco Republic over many years to come.”
