Is this a good thing?

What does the shop sell?
Is the shop itself free from plastic in the building and fitments or is it touting it's plastic-free credentials re the wrapping on goods?

lemongrove - you have shops in your village?
Lucky you!

For West Midlanders, there's no plastics shop in the Custard Factory, Digbeth,

I think some of the anti-plastic movement is getting out of hand. Plastics became so ubiquitous because many of their uses have improved and made life better for us.

In the garden, plastic hoses rather than rubber, plastic watering cans, which last for decades rather than metal, Plastic bowls and sinks and worktops, fridge interiors, storage containers, disposable gloves in medical uses to protect against infection.

Yes, single use plastics are a curse on earth and have made us lazy and slovenly, one use bottles, shopping bags, take-away food containers.

But do not throw the baby away with the bath water.

I think slowly our awareness is kicking in. Balloons at parties will soon be frowned upon. Plastic shower gel containers /hand soaps (as in the bathroom at the hotel we stayed in last week) will be used guiltily.

But will people drive less/fly less/breed less?

I don’t think so.

There are rumours of one of these shops starting up in our village, but it will be competing with the other shops, so unsure of how successful it will be.

There are more and more of these shops opening up. Yes, people will travel to visit them, but in the long run this trend will encourage more shops to open in different areas- leading to less travelling.

Sure, I'll hop into my big gas-guzzling car and drive 100 miles to visit that no-plastic shop.

You could always cycle (?)

That was my point really! Which is worse. Using plastics or driving to avoid it?

I took kitty's comment to mean the fuel/emissions etc. from people travelling from outside the area rather than the plastic free shop, which I agree can only be a good thing. I could well be wrong though.

I suppose kittylester is questioning the environmental cost of people travelling a distance to use the plastics free shop. The good news in our area, is that the response of a supermarket chain to a similar plastic free shop setting up, has been to offer the same service. You arrive with paper bags/tupperware boxes (yes I know, plastic) and they'll weigh items for you. Currently, its fruit and veg but the plan is to extend to other key items.
Small steps

No question of that

I think it's great news. I have noticed less plastic on my beach walks this week, I litter pick every time I go.

We used to have a farm shop in Alnwick years ago where people could 'scoop' their goods. Unfortunately it wasn't in a good position and closed down.

I buy a lot of bird seed from my local hardware shop and have asked if they'll put it into my container, rather than me taking it in a plastic bag. Looked at me as though I was odd as I was the first person to ask, but they did agree.

Of course