THE BODY Shop has reopened in Winchester after it closed for nearly a month to complete a refurbishment that has sustainability at its heart.

On Thursday, April 13, a crowd gathered outside the beauty store on High Street for the official reopening.

Mayor of Winchester, Angela Clear, officially opened the new Body Shop with a ribbon cutting and welcomed the waiting customers into the new store.

She said: "It is fantastic, they are so popular with all ages, all the youngsters are in here and trying everything. It is lovely, this did well before and I am sure this refurbishment will help them go from strength to strength. 

"I was delighted to be asked to come and cut the ribbon and I had a little tour beforehand, everything is very good. I'm ready to put the products they've shown me to the test."

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Manager Jordan Padley, said: "We have now got bigger and better things to offer. The store is feeling completely different, it feels more welcoming.

"It was amazing to have the Mayor here, she is such a welcoming person and it was so nice having someone like her be here with us to reopen the store to the people waiting outside." 

Ms Padley, who has worked for Body Shop for two and a half years, added: "It really focuses on what the brand is trying to do in terms of sustainability and the people of Winchester are very sustainably savvy."

The new Winchester Body Shop has a strong focus on sustainability, with sinks made from recycled material and tables created from old scaffolding and recycled plastic bottles. 

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Hampshire Chronicle:

A brand new make-up station shows off sustainable products, which are of course refillable to help customers reduce their waste. 

Before the closure, the store has just six soaps and shampoos available in the refillable station but that has now doubled. 

It is hoped that by increasing the amount available to refill, the number of sales will increase and in turn the shop will be able to offer more products as refillable options.

Residents are also urged to bring their empty bottles and containers, from any beauty company, and recycle them with the body shop who will have a dedicated bin for recycling.