24
Apr
New sustainable shop and wellbeing hub opens in Ripon
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A new shop combining sustainable products with health and wellbeing support has opened in Ripon city centre.
Sustain was opened yesterday (Thursday) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Ripon, Cllr Barbara Brodigan, in Halls of Ripon, the former department store that is now home to around 20 independent retailers.
Cllr Brodigan cut the ribbon to open the shop.
Owner Charlotte Baldwin founded Sustain after years working in the independent health food sector and feeling that something important was missing.
She said:
I wanted to create the kind of place I always felt should exist. Somewhere that doesn’t just sell products, but actually helps people – whether that’s understanding what to eat, finding support, or simply feeling more like themselves again.
The shops sells a wide variety of sustainably produced food.
She said the support could range from guidance through menopause to helping parents source genuinely healthy snacks for their children.
Ms Baldwin said:
I want people to feel energised, joyful and well, whatever stage of life they’re in.
Guests at the launch were given a tour of the shop, which included a historic medieval well uncovered during renovations – a striking feature that will become part of the shop’s identity and future plans.
There is also a coffee shop, where customers can sample organic wines using the shop’s Enomatic wine machine.
The shop also has a coffee shop.
Cllr Brodigan said:
It’s fantastic to see a business like Sustain opening in such an important location for the city. It brings something fresh and positive to the high street, and it’s exactly the kind of independent venture that helps our community to thrive.
Not all the shop's products are edible.
The opening of Sustain completes the latest phase of major regeneration and reconfiguration works at Halls of Ripon, which has been carried out by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Limited at a cost of more than £400,000.
Ms Baldwin intends Sustain to be a place where people can learn, ask questions and feel supported in improving their health in a realistic, sustainable way. Plans are already underway for community events, supper clubs and collaborations with local practitioners.
Ms Baldwin said she wanted customers to "eat with joy and feed their souls".
The venture also has the seal of approval from Ripon BID, whose manager, Lilla Bathurst, said:
The opening of Sustain is a brilliant vote of confidence in Ripon’s future. Charlotte Baldwin’s vision brings something fresh and thoughtful to our city centre and extends consumer choice. It proves once again that Ripon is a fantastic place to do business and a place worth investing in.
Ripon BID is here to support anyone looking to open in the city – whether that’s making introductions to landlords and agents or helping you find the perfect location.
Sustain is exactly the kind of forward-thinking venture that shows what’s possible here, and we welcome them with open arms.
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