Guest post by Becky Wing, Plastic Free Thanet Lead for Ramsgate

Addington Street in Ramsgate is fast becoming a unique independent shopping, food and drink as well as creative centre that adds to the main offer in town.

The street was once the main high street of Ramsgate and as such is also full of heritage buildings most of which had some kind of retail history. Over a number of years, the street has seen a return to its retail past with an increase in the number of independent outlets, many of which have been keen to embrace the refuse, reuse, refill approach to removing single-use plastics and plastics in general.

So, if you are looking for plastic free gifts for Christmas from local independent businesses that are doing all they can to reduce plastics, buy a local and unique Christmas gift on any budget or enjoy food and drink then visit the street between Thursday and Sunday. Here are just a few of the businesses and what they offer.

Positive Retail have been using biodegradable packaging and wrapping as well as offering locally produced Haeckel’s products. 

Moon Ink Books not only have they removed many plastics but have a wide range of books for every age range about the environment and/or environmental issues. Bubbawear children’s clothing has also reduced/removed plastics as have Paraphernalia with a large range of vintage items.

The only plastic found in Vinyl Head is the 1000s of pre-loved LP’s while at the creative spaces; Margo and Laurent Delaye Gallery offer/produce one off pieces.

At The Sewing Room you can have clothes repaired or made and also buy vintage accessories, again in plastic free packaging. 

Eats’n’Beats, The Falstaff and the soon to reopen Queen Charlotte Pub use bio-degradable and bamboo for all their takeaways and have removed as much plastic as they can from their food and drink. 

SP is full of items and plants and has removed or replaced nearly all single use plastics.

Even the busy Ramsgate Grooming Centre has done what it can to reduce plastics while keeping our canine friends looking clean and smart.

Families by the Sea who run sessions for families use plastic free resources for children.

The businesses and residents recognise there is a great deal more to do and will be taking part in a plastics survey in the new year to help identify shared plastic issues and barriers in the hope that Addington Street can work together to tackle the plastic problem. Addington Street has a really positive community of both residents and businesses and is ready to take on board additional challenges to reduce the use of plastics and increase recycling.

Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities lead Becky Wing, who also lives on the street, says: "We have been taking steps to reduce plastics, increase recycling and improve our community for many years and so having the SAS structure to help us is an added bonus, people really do care. If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift for a few pounds or lots more, from businesses that really do care about their community and the environment then, look no further than Addington Street and Ramsgate Town Centre."

Visit our Plastic Free Thanet page for more on the campaign.