Flo’s Refill Shop campaign to get more local shopping ethically
Flo’s- The Place in the Park has expanded the range of goods at its refill shop over the summer. Flo’s Refill Shop has added 305 new items to its stock, including gifts, greeting cards, and a new Essentials range.
A video has been released showcasing what their refill shop has to offer and the community impact you can have by shopping in this Oxford gem.
Flo’s customers saved approximately 30,000 500g plastic containers/packets by shopping at the refill shop over the last year. Protecting the planet by reducing consumption of single-use plastics is just one of the benefits of shopping at Flo’s. You’re also investing in a circular economy, with your purchases supporting the Oxford community around Florence Park and beyond.
Profits from Flo’s Refill shop help provide things such as:
Free meals for people who need them – over the last year, Flo’s provided 4,742 meals to the community on a free or ‘pay as you can’ basis, including 300 free meals served on Christmas Day
Maternity support – for 96 families as part of Equal Start Oxford, providing
individualised support and advocacy for mothers who may face disparities in access and outcomes during pregnancy and early parenthood
Free events for families and young children – removing barriers for entry so everyone can be included
A community café, open 365 days a year – where anyone can come and feelsafe, welcome, and warm (and enjoy a free hot drink or meal if they need one)
“I think one of the challenges we face is that a lot of people don’t know we’re here, I love seeing people come in here and their faces light up. It’s not what they expect to see in a community centre in the park. And the products are beautiful.” – Flo’s Executive Director, Laura Sewell.
With the closure of other much-loved local independent shops, Flo’s was seeing increased demand for ethical and sustainably sourced gifts, in addition to the food and household refills they already supplied. In response, over the summer, Flo’s Refill Shop expanded its space and range of products – introducing 305 new items to its stock.
“I like the community spirit of it, I love its purpose. The fact that it’s there simply to re-use things and to be fair trade and sustainable.”- David, who was one of the refill shop’s first customers when it opened in 2019, and now that he’s retired, he volunteers there once a week.
David, long-time customer Viv, and Flo’s Executive Director, Laura, all feature in the new 3-minute video released today by Flo’s on Instagram and Facebook. The video was created by local production company Stone Barrell and was funded by Oxfordshire’s Step Change Fund. The goal of the video is to raise awareness of Flo’s Refill Shop, showcase their expanded range of goods, and encourage more Oxfordshire residents to give this ethical way of shopping a try.
“Every time you shop with us, you’re doing more than making a purchase; you’re providing local jobs, volunteering opportunities, and helping to add to our community work. The more people can spread the word about the refill shop and the more people that can come, the bigger impact we can have on our local community,” says Laura.
Flo’s Refill Shop is open seven days a week, 9:00-17:00, and can be found in Flo’s – The
Place in the Park, Rymers Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 3JZ
Make sure to check out Flo’s Refill Shop when you next get a chance.
