Clear to Sea eco shop in St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, set to close, announces owner Catherine Winn

The owner of an eco shop in Bury St Edmunds town centre said she feels as though she has achieved everything she set out to do after announcing its closure.

Catherine Winn, of Ixworth, who opened Clear to Sea in St John’s Street in 2019 said she's already had messages from ‘devastated’ customers after she said on social media that it would be closing.

The former primary school teacher and charity worker is now set to retire.

Catherine said one of her main takeaways from running Clear to Sea will be the ‘really decent, loyal customers’ she has met along the way and how she helped them avoid supermarkets.

“I’ve made quite a few friends,” said Catherine.

“The shop is a very personal space, people get to chat and they help each other out and help me out.”

Catherine said she has a ‘pioneering spirit’ and worked on the concept of the shop from start to finish.

Touching on the challenges the store faced in the pandemic, one year after it opened, she said: “I was determined to keep the business running.”

Catherine believes her time running the low-waste shop has been a success and is proud the business has survived for so long.

She said: “I have introduced people to a different way of purchasing food and a big part of that is telling people about where their food has come from.

“I feel sad but all good things come to an end.

“I want to thank all my loyal customers and I hope to see them in the next few weeks.”

“I think it is really important to support local businesses, local farmers and independents,” added Catherine.

James Hudson, of Bury, said he has been a regular at the shop since it opened in St John’s Street.

He said he felt sad when he heard Clear to Sea would be closing, as a customer and on a personal level.

He said: “There is nowhere else like this in the town.

“I come here to reuse my bottles and reduce waste and I find it cheaper.”

James said he would particularly miss shopping there at Christmas when he would pick up eco-friendly gifts for his friends.

Clear to Sea will remain open until all the stock has been sold, as Catherine does not want to waste any food.

She will also be selling equipment from the shop.

Updates about Clear to Sea can be found on its social media channels.