Bristol’s We The Curious launches new online shop – ethical gift choices in support of educational charity

Educational charity and science centre, We The Curious has launched a new online shop, supported by the West of England Combined Authority. The new shop launches with a range of ethically sourced, sustainable toys, games and gifts for all ages.

Launching today, the new online shop launches with around 35 products, which includes best sellers from the venue’s shop and gift vouchers which can be spent in the shop. The new online retail platform is supported by a grant from the West of England Combined Authority.

The new online shop is launching at a time when all eyes will be on COP26 in Glasgow, it supports a key manifesto pledge of We The Curious to ‘create a sustainable future’. The shop follows a strict sustainability policy which includes procuring sustainable products, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals created by the UN, and working with sustainable suppliers to adopt practices that minimise environmental impact.

The range of products includes the soft toy range EcoBuddiez and Green Toys play vehicles which are all made from recycled materials, as well as wooden pin badges and Tawashi eco sponges. All paper and card is FSC accredited, there are no single-use plastics and purchases are packed in reused packaging where possible. A ‘click and collect’ service is also available.   

Still recovering from the impact of a 14-month closure, the educational charity lost £2.7m during the pandemic; the investment in a new ecommerce shop is planned to create greater financial resilience for the charity by diversifying alternative income streams. Since reopening in May 2021, We The Curious has welcomed nearly 63,000 visitors through the doors, with the venue remaining at a limited capacity due to COVID restrictions.

Harriet Spita, Retail Manager for We The Curious said: 

“We’re really pleased to be launching our online shop at this time, after a tough year of closure, lots of organisations and independent shops have had to diversify; it’s also a great way of making our shop more accessible to those who can’t visit us or don’t live locally and the income enables us to support our charitable aims as we get back on our feet after reopening.

We’ve carefully curated a small range of products to start with, so we can be sure that we’re only selling products that we’re proud of; in the future we’re looking at a new range of curious, eco-friendly branded products as well as expanding our range of books and toys.

Our commitment to sustainability is really important to us, so I’m proud that our customers can feel confident that they’re purchasing sustainable, responsible products and supporting our charity at the same time.

We’re really grateful of the support that we’ve seen as our visitors have returned to our venue since reopening, so we urge people to shop locally, and support charities and independent sellers this Christmas.”

Dan Norris West of England Mayor added:

“What a great time to launch the online shop in the run up to Christmas. I’m sure there will be a great range of educational and fun gifts and stocking fillers. I always like browsing the shop at We the Curious and now that will be open to far more people local and further afield. It’s another great way to put the West of England on the map.”  

The new online shop can be found at: shop.wethecurious.org and is kindly supported by the West of England Combined Authority’s business growth grant.

-ENDS-

For more information, images, interviews or to arrange a press trip, please contact Jen.Forster@wethecurious.org or call 07967 334152. You can follow We The Curious on Twitter (@wethecurious_) Facebook (wethecurious) or Instagram (@wethecurious_). For more information, please visit www.wethecurious.org

Editor’s Notes:

About We The Curious:

We The Curious is an educational charity and interactive science centre in Bristol which brings together science, art, technology, culture and innovation to create positive change for its community and environment and “to connect and empower people with the wonder of science”.

Our venue on Bristol’s harbourside is a bit like an indoor festival, with all sorts of different experiences, where you can interact with exhibits, test stuff out and participate rather than just visit.  We’re all about empowering everyone to ask questions and get creative - with boundaries removed between science, art, people and ideas. 

About Business Growth Grants:

For more information about the West of England Combined Authority business growth grants and further support for business visit westofengland-ca.gov.uk/growthhub