Eco-fashion company gets £90,000 boost from UK Steel Enterprise

ECO-COMPANY Bag It Don’t Bin It has received nearly £90,000 in funding from UK Steel Enterprise to expand the business and meet growing demand for eco-friendly accessories.

Established in 2008 by Sheffield-born Julia Gash, BIDBI intended to create fair trade, sustainable canvas bags and use them as a marketing tool.

The £88,000 of funding from Tata Steel subsidiary, UK Steel Enterprise which supports former steel manufacturing communities, will allow BIDBI to buy larger format, more advanced print machines and allow the firm to expand into new markets.

Keith Williams from UK Steel Enterprise, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, said: “BIDBI has developed a product that offers business a way to lower their carbon footprint and market their business.

“We are pleased to support the company’s investment into new equipment and e-commerce – and believe that the funding will help propel the business, encouraging growth in the use of eco-friendly accessories as well as creating jobs.”

Julia Gash, chief executive of BIDBI said: “We’ve previously produced bags for clients including Jimmy Choo, Liberty of London, Harvey Nichols, British Museum and National Gallery of Art and want to increase our awareness allowing us to continue to cater for household brands.

“This investment funding will allow us to purchase print machinery and take additional market share – particularly targeting those from the cultural industries sectors which is our biggest growth area.”

The funds will also be used to create an e-commerce site for Talented, BIDBI’s tote bag brand.

UK Steel Enterprise manages the Equity Growth Fund, providing up to £1m of investment capital to growing companies which are able to create jobs. Since being established the company has helped over 6,000 businesses in steel regions across the country and are committed to investing in expanding businesses.

The firm has also launched the 40:40 challenge to mark its 40th anniversary. The challenge invites young entrepreneurs, schools, training academies and local authorities to work with students aged 18 or under to bid for a cut of the £40,000 fund.