PAINTBRUSHES in hand, Gary and Kate Todd have been hard at work this week preparing to open The Blue Pantry in Fore Street, Wellington.

The store will encourage customers to cut down on single use plastic by inviting them to take along their own containers and fill them with whatever they want to buy.

Gary and Kate, who have lived in Howard Road, for the last ten years, have been inspired to open The Blue Pantry after seeing similar stores in Totnes in Devon.

Gary, who will be running the shop, was a senior manager in mental health for 30 years, most recently at the Wellesley Hospital at Chelston. He and his wife enjoy the outdoors, particularly kayaking and walking.

The Blue Pantry will be selling dried goods like pasta, rice, flour, beans, peas, spices and fruit but plan to take on new products according to customer demand.