The Healthy Weigh to open in Dorchester

The Healthy Weigh, which will tailor sustainable and reusable products, is set to open in Cornhill with a dedication to denouncing the use of single-use plastics.

The new shop, which opens on Saturday, April 2, will offer customers the ability to do grocery shopping without unnecessary packaging, in a bid to save them cash and protect the planet.

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The Healthy Weigh, which will tailor sustainable and reusable products, is set to open in Cornhill

Owner, local man Tim Stevens, said: "Around 85 per cent of my goods are organic, gluten-free and vegan.

"I will be using one main supplier and local producers, which reduces carbon footprint. The aim is to help reduce as much single-use plastic going to landfill."

Mr Stevens said he is opening the store to reduce the use of plastic packaging, and said there should be a couple of vacancies in the coming months.

"So many waste-packaged items are set to weights of 200g, 500g or 1000g bags and yet the amount needed and required is usually 50g, 100g, or less - the rest would be thrown away, or that food sits and rots in a cupboard," he said.

"When the spring and summer comes I will be looking at hiring a couple more staff."

Mr Stevens said his inspiration to open the store was seeing the success of Earth Food Love, in Totnes, Devon - one of the first zero-waste shops to open in the UK.

He said: "Having lived in Totnes and seeing Earth Food Love do so well, opening something similar became a goal."

Owner, local man Tim Stevens

Mr Stevens said his shop will encourage and help the local community live a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious way of shopping.

"I supply food standard recycled paper bags, and sell recycled plastic and glass bottles to help to achieve the objective," he said.

"Going forward, I would love to go in to schools and attend public speaking events to inform people of the facts."

The Healthy Weigh follows other plastic-free ventures across the area including The Brace of Butchers in Poundbury, Down to Earth, in Trinity Street, Natural Life in Antelope Walk, as well as Waste Not Want Not in Bridport.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “It's very welcome to see The Healthy Weigh open in Dorchester.

"Independent businesses and those with a distinctive offering are vital for the health of our high streets and town centres.

"Increasing numbers of businesses and consumers are embracing the sustainable agenda and it's an issue that the Dorset Chamber is keen to focus on.

"We hope the Healthy Weigh is a great success."