Peterborough sustainable store UNITY secures three-year deal

UNITY, Up The Garden Bath’s collaborative retail project at Queensgate Shopping Centre, has left 50 Cambridgeshire creatives feeling "ecstatic" for their small businesses.

The announcement aligns with the retail project turning one on November 16.

In just one year, the store has gone on to raise almost £400,000, which has gone back into the pockets of local businesses and eco-projects in Peterborough.

Despite their strong retail success story, co-founders Dave Poulton and Kez Hayes-Palmer have decided to launch a £250,000 crowdfunder to help them deliver on their large-scale city projects.

READ MORE: Hundreds of young people in Cambridgeshire to benefit from youth scheme

The funding campaign will be led by Up The Garden Bath, UNITY’s collaborative parent organisation.

Co-founder Kez Hayes-Palmer said: “Being able to continue with our special collaborative community project until 2027 is a dream come true.

“We’ve realised now is the right time, following the autumn budget, to appeal to the amazing people of Peterborough to get behind us and help us to cement our projects we have planned."

The team has so far installed 74 upcycled bathtub planters into schools, community centres, and residential care homes across Cambridgeshire.

They also support social justice schemes, offering free crafting and fun workshops for everyone, including digital upskilling courses for the over 60s and unemployed.

Queensgate Shopping Centre bosses have been eager to see UNITY’s groundbreaking project continue making waves with local shoppers and secured its future with a three-year extension.

Verity Swinsoe-Wigmore, marketing and events co-ordinator at Queensgate Shopping Centre, said: "Their commitment to sustainability and community engagement has brought such a unique and inspiring presence to our space."

Alaina Davies, of Alaina Creates, said: “Selling my products in the UNITY store this past year has been monumental to the growth of my small business."