A shoe designer and retailer on Clifford Street has been chosen by the people of York to feature in a special film to highlight North Yorkshire’s ambition to become a net-zero carbon economy by the 2030s.
The Angela Bare shop is among 10 small business in the city to receive a £2,000 cash boost from the York Go-Greener Fund, set up by First York with support from the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) in York & North Yorkshire and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
It is to help small businesses in retail, leisure, hospitality, health & beauty and other consumer services encourage eco-friendly high street spending and boost customer-led sustainable growth.
These 10 businesses took part in a people’s choice online vote last week (27 June-1 July) to decide an overall winner. After coming top in the vote Angela Bare will now appear in the film which is being made by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and includes some of the world’s leading voices on climate change.
Owner Angela Langton said: “We’re chuffed to pieces, to be honest. To have been chosen as one of the businesses to get the funding was amazing, but now to win this public choice against all the other finalists is incredible.”
Angela and store manager Kate plan to use the funding to improve packaging, ensuring all outgoing packages use recycled products and no plastic.
First range of vegan shoes and dresses made from recycled materials.
The win has come at just the right time. On Monday, Angela took delivery of her first dress designed from recycled materials and a debut range of vegan shoes is due to arrive later this week.
“We are aware of the impact the fashion industry has on the environment,” added Angela. “Although we are only a small business, we have taken huge steps to ensure we keep the environment safe. We don't use ink on carrier bags. We stock vegan footwear as well as launching our own vegan range with the funding and a dress we have made with recycled fabric.
“We will continue working with ethical brands and keep doing our bit. If we can do it as a small business then larger companies can hopefully do more too and continue to make the planet a better place for the future. We’ve seen a big change in the shoe market in the last four years – growing demand for vegan footwear and brands recognising they need to react to this.”
Carolyn Frank said: “This has been an inspirational project to support. York’s smallest businesses are driving the local economy forward thanks to their passion and resilience, and despite difficult economic trading conditions, are taking steps to protect the planet too.
“Small businesses across the UK are accelerating progress towards net zero and understand the benefits to their business and communities that taking steps to become more sustainable offers. Thanks to First York funding even greater change in York has been achieved, and the entrepreneurship and vision of businesses like Angela Bare are what makes York so special.”
All 29 entrants who applied to the Fund will be offered advice on sustainability from the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
A wide variety of business activities are represented by the winners including fashion retail, food and drink, artisan products, bridal wear, cafes, book selling, podiatry and community projects. The full list is available on the First York website firstbus.co.uk/yorkgogreenerfund.