No time to waste
Derbyshire Life|Septemer 2020
Meet the owners of a Wirksworth zero-waste store with community at its heart
Catherine Roth
No time to waste

Two local residents have brought a new shopping experience to Wirksworth’s high street in the form of Skopa, a zero-waste premises that opened its doors earlier this year and is run by Sarah Cumberland and Belinda Wilkins.

Skopa was born from Sarah and Belinda’s frustrations of shopping in supermarkets. When a mutual friend introduced them to one another, it was the beginning of a journey that would see them open their first shop just nine months later and become good friends in the process.

‘We wanted to create a packaging-free zero waste experience for people at affordable prices’, says Sarah. ‘There is so much single-use and other packaging going to landfill and I saw supermarkets were moving too slowly towards reducing its use. The driver for me was that we’ve got to do something differently. I’m not anti-plastic – it’s incredibly useful – but we need to reduce how much packaging altogether we use on items that just don’t need it.’

It was Belinda’s idea to open a shop. A baker and cook at heart, her drive was rooted in nostalgia. ‘There was a little bit of wanting to turn the clock back and return to the experience I had as a child,’ she says. ‘That involved going with my nan to an old-fashioned food shop. I remember shopping then as an experience – you went in and someone helped you.’

This story is from the Septemer 2020 edition of Derbyshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Septemer 2020 edition of Derbyshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DERBYSHIRE LIFEView All
Can Plants Hear?
Derbyshire Life

Can Plants Hear?

In the latest in his series on the intelligence of plants, Martyn Baguley analyses whether they have the ability to hear

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Peak National Park and Ride
Derbyshire Life

Peak National Park and Ride

Andrew Griffihs asks what the future holds for transport in the Peak National Park and talks to Julian Glover about his Landscapes Review

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Doubly thankful
Derbyshire Life

Doubly thankful

Mike Smith explores the village of Bradbourne, which has a particularly poignant tale to tell

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
What lies beneath
Derbyshire Life

What lies beneath

Exploring the hidden depths of Ladybower Reservoir, which conceals secrets of a fascinating past

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Battle for our birds
Derbyshire Life

Battle for our birds

Paul Hobson analyses our complex relationship with birds of prey and how these fascinating birds are fairing in Derbyshire

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Explore the Peak Forest
Derbyshire Life

Explore the Peak Forest

A walk through autumn fields and forests with far reaching views enriched by snippets of mystery, romance and the area’s industrial past

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Pictures to transport you
Derbyshire Life

Pictures to transport you

Chesterfield photographer David Keep continues his photographic journey, this time recalling his favourite landscape images from around the world

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
The magic of Christmas
Derbyshire Life

The magic of Christmas

Ideas for days out, gifts and where to find local produce in Derbyshire this festive season

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
PENNY for the Guy
Derbyshire Life

PENNY for the Guy

We take a look at Derbyshire’s bonfire tradtions through history

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
From hardship came happiness
Derbyshire Life

From hardship came happiness

Pat Ashworth speaks with Chesterfield based retired Colonel John Doody about his inspiring life, from a diffiult childhood to overcoming diversity and finding happiness

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020