Britain’s first pop-up sustainable department store to open in London

South London-based Fellow-led social enterprise Blue Patch is taking over Dulwich Village High Street with the country’s first pop-up sustainable department store, showcasing the best of Britain’s ethical small businesses.

Date: October 1^st 2016

Time: 10 am – 6 pm

Location: St Barnabas Parish Hall
23 Dulwich Village
London SE21 7BT

BOOK YOUR PLACE

On 1^st October, the ‘Blue Patch Department Store’ will open its doors to the public for one day only, giving customers the opportunity to browse a selection of innovative, sustainable and quality creations from some of Britain’s best designers and producers, who will also be on hand to answer questions and discuss their handiwork.

All of the companies with products at the store are part of the Blue Patch collective, a social enterprise that curates and sells the best products online from small to medium British manufacturers and independent workshops that are committed to continually improving their sustainable practices and to providing exceptional service to their customers.

In true department store fashion, there will be something for everyone on the day, from delicious chocolate, handmade rugs and bespoke cabinetry, to organic beauty products, hand built bikes and even cutting edge renewable technology in the form of a Tesla Power Wall. Blue Patch will also be running a hub throughout the day offering advice to small businesses, designers, makers and sole traders; with HR specialists, apprenticeship advisors, green energy, marketing and social enterprise experts all on hand to support people to make their creative ideas a reality.

Customers are also invited to ‘join the conversation’ in the afternoon as the store hosts guest speakers from the New Economics Foundation, Ecotricity and the Transition Network, as well as makers, shoppers and shopkeepers who will come together for a discussion on what the ‘High Streets of the Future’ might look and feel like. The conversations will be chaired by Helen Hayes , MP for Dulwich and West Norwood.

Founder Jane Langley hopes that the success of the day will lead to greater opportunities in the future: “With issues like climate change and resource depletion growing concerns for the British public, sustainable enterprises like Blue Patch are more important than ever and we’re anticipating lots of interest in our ethical department store.”

If you can’t make it down to the department store for the 1^st October, you can find out more about Blue Patch and the connect directly with the businesses online at bluepatch.org

Twitter: @BluePatchTeam  #Bstore16
Instagram:   @Blue_Patch

About Blue Patch

Blue Patch was born out of a quietly radical desire to foster positive change in the goods and services industry. It offers customers the opportunity to buy from celebrated British businesses who are independent, responsible and ethical, whether that’s by using local fruit and veg in their products, raw materials from sustainable sources, or renewable energy to power their workshops.

Blue Patch is your colourful catalogue of British made products and services with a sustainability edge. We’ve rounded up everything from eco-fashion to hand-crafted designer furniture, from artisan bread to biodynamic wine.

For more information about the event or Blue Patch call Jane Langley on 020 7738 7267  mob: 07792726842 or email: jane@bluepatch.org

 You can also get in touch with Jane via her MyRSA profile.