Preston coffee shop Town House is leading the way in compostable packaging and ditching single-use plastics

'˜Don't be a sucker; ditch plastic!'
Gareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic wasteGareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic waste
Gareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic waste

That’s the message from one Preston coffee shop leading the way in reducing its reliance on single-use plastics.

Town House Coffee and Brew Bar in Friargate is championing reusable and recyclable coffee products through plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups – including reusable metal straws.

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Business owner Bernice-Marie Newton said: “When we designed Townhouse we wanted to be as plastic free and environmentally friendly as possible.

Gareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic wasteGareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic waste
Gareth Hodgson and Bernice Newton from Town House Coffee and Brew Bar on Friargate are using plastic free straws, cutlery and coffee cups to help combat plastic waste

“One of the ethics behind the business is to reduce the waste coming out; we really want to provide compostable packaging as standard across all of our takeaway products.”

Bernice has run Townhouse since May 2016 with partner Louis Snape, 28, and think their position to influence comes from being a small independent business.

“It’s one of the benefits of having an independent business,” Bernice, 30, said.

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“We just decided we aren’t bringing plastic products into the building.”

The coffee shop is selling metal straws as permanent replacements for their plastic alternativeThe coffee shop is selling metal straws as permanent replacements for their plastic alternative
The coffee shop is selling metal straws as permanent replacements for their plastic alternative

And the benefit has been that staff and customers are now being more aware because of their little steps to tackle waste.

Bernice, who has a history of environmentally friendly charity work, said: “It gives customers a bit of ease of mind. We always discount drinks for bringing in own cups as one way to get our message into their heads. We are so proud to have a business to put our own stamp on.

“I don’t walk out my shop and see Townhouse litter on the streets which is how it should be.

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“We want to have that impact on the city which we are really proud of.”

It's take out cups are compostableIt's take out cups are compostable
It's take out cups are compostable

Townhouse uses eco-friendly company Vegware, which uses vegetables to make all its products, to make its ethics a reality. All their products biodegrade in 21 weeks.

“They are evidence that you can make products that are just as strong as plastic,” Bernice explained.

The campaign follows on from the coffee shop’s key role in the ‘Clean up Friargate’ campaign over the summer, where businesses up and down the street took to it with brushes, mops and sponges to make their street something to be proud of.

After conversations with Preston Council, the authority provided cleaning equipment and carried out paint snagging work on posts, bins, and benches.