AN ECO-FRIENDLY shop in Poole which did not have to pay business rates has taken the “bittersweet” decision to close down.
Bare Necessities, in Kingland Crescent, Poole, closed at the end of January following difficulties with the rising cost of goods.
Owner Stuart Cake opened the plastic-free store in February 2022 as part of a scheme which allowed new businesses to pay no rent or business rates.
In a statement online, a spokesperson for the business said: “It is incredibly bittersweet to announce that our Poole Shop is closing on January 25.
Read more: New plastic-free shop opens its doors in Poole's Kingland
“Stuart and his fiancé are expecting their first child and given the early days of the business and current cost of goods rising like crazy across the world, we’ve decided it’s better to close at this time and focus on new adventures.
“The Wareham shop however will continue to thrive & fulfil all your plastic free shopping needs.
“We have loved and appreciated all the support we have received, the regulars we’ve befriended, and although we are closing for an exciting new adventure, we will very much miss the shop and all that visit.”
Art shop Pen Gallery also closed its doors in Kingland at the end of last year and moved base to Boscombe.
Read more: Online fashion brand Brakeburn to open first store in Poole
Meanwhile, four businesses in Kingland recently renewed their leases for a year, including Grounded Coffee, Restored Retro, Greenslade Fish and Wild Roots.
Kingland was set up in 2021 in Poole town centre and is the first of its kind nationwide to offer small retailers the opportunity to trade rent and business rates free for the first two years.
There are 10 units available for start-up businesses as part of a £26million scheme from Dolphin Shopping Centre owner Legal & General.
Dorset-based clothing brand Brakeburn will begin trading at the KINGLAND later this year, with select items will be available from its women and men’s clothing range.
Brakeburn has previously only been stocked online and in local boutique stores, meaning the KINGLAND unit is its first brick-and-mortar store.
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