POLITICIANS have hailed a new plastic-free shop that has opened in Ramsbottom.

Plentiful (formerly Fulfilled), which is based in Silver Street, threw open its doors to the public on Saturday, and shop owner Abbie Sellers was joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Bury North MP James Frith to cut the ribbon.

The shop will offer customers a huge range of food staples - such as rice, pasta, chocolate, nuts, spices and cereal without any packaging.

There will also be a range of cleaning product refills. Customers can bring their own container for any item, take paper bags or purchase storage jars.

Alongside the ‘weigh and pay’ approach there are also plastic free and sustainable items to help reduce plastic use, including shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, metal straws and plastic-free deodorant.

Mr Burnham says he hopes the shop will lead to a plastic-free revolution elsewhere in the region.

He said: “I want Greater Manchester to be at the forefront of the green revolution and to become the greenest city region in the UK; and it will be shops like Fulfilled that will lead that revolution.

“It was fantastic to be a part of this opening and to learn about the work being put in to educate and support the local community in an effort to cut down single use plastic waste.

"It’s now time for other, bigger establishments to take note and do their bit to cut down their use of single use plastics to help protect our planet and reduce pollution in rivers and oceans.”

An estimated 200 people called in to the shop throughout the day, with queues snaking down the street.

Ms Sellers previously worked for an environmental charity and nature reserve, but decided to open the shop after experiencing difficulties with locating plastic-free products herself.

She said: “The weekend was a roaring success. The fact that so many people were there at the opening, eager to show their support and change the way they shop was really moving.

“I really do believe that we have the power now to slow down plastic pollution and really lead by example. I couldn’t have done it without the kind support of Ramsbottom and beyond.”

Fulfilled is open six days a week, plus late nights on Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, visit https://plentifulshop.co.uk/.