Williams gets ACER!

The ACER challenge

As Audlem's oldest, continuously running, retail establishment, we were delighted to be asked by A.C.E.R. (Audlem Carbon Emission Reduction) Project, to write a piece for Audlem On Line. They asked us to review and assess what we are doing as a business, to reduce our own carbon footprint, and also the steps we have taken to improve both the local, and the wider, environment. Demonstrating that, besides having a long history, we are also looking forward into the future, and the challenges ahead.

The good news is that we are certainly not the only shop in the village stocking ethically sourced products, embracing environmental initiatives and reacting to climate change. And it may be stating the obvious to say that by using Audlem shops in general, you will be doing your own bit to cut carbon footprints, and support the local economy.

With your help, we can all work towards a greener, cleaner Audlem ......and planet !

So here goes a quick resume of what we have taken on board so far -

Williams' Shop

• We provide a recycling collection point for empty crisp packets/ toothpaste tubes & cheese wrappers (which in turn raises funds for both local and environmental good causes ) -- as well as a collection point for old batteries.
• We are members of the national network scheme REFILL which provides free tap water refills on request
• All our shop lights are 8W LEDs so we have incredibly low electric bills for our lighting -- even though we have over 24 shop lights in our store.
• All our packaging is recycled, along with the newspapers and magazines (which are returned to our wholesaler daily).
• With the exception of the British Legion Appeal, our charity collection boxes exclusively benefit Audlem causes including both the Chapels, the Church ADAS and the Turnpike Field -- so your donations are re-invested in your community.
• We only use sustainably sourced plain paper bags for wrapping goods, and not forgetting, we have a wide selection of re-usable shopping bag for sale too.
• The majority of our shop fittings at Williams of Audlem, are re-purposed, recycled and/or pre-loved.
• We are a UPS access point -- which means that UPS drivers can keep their miles down, by picking up or dropping off at one central point, instead of delivering to many individual homes
• Our newspapers are delivered to our customers by bicycle, or on foot, by our fantastic team of young paper girls & boys.
• We support many locally based greetings card artists, and where possible, also our fantastic local printers (Johnsons of Nantwich)

Things we sell

In addition our giftware range has steadily been developing a growing emphasis on the "useful and needed" rather than the "decorative and sentimental".Our stock Includes the following :-Eco friendly soaps; including solid soap shampoo & conditioner bars that cut out the need for plastic containers -- and palm oil free soaps.

• Smokeless only fuels, and logs & sticks from certified wood sources,
• We no longer stock portable barbeques, due to their association with starting wildfires.
• Re-usable bamboo coffee cups and metal drinks flasks to reduce "one use" cups & bottles.
• We do not stock children's toys that require batteries.
• Scarves made from plastic recycled bottles
• Sustainable bamboo socks
• A brand of bags & purses (Lua Ltd) that support the Rewilding Britain initiative
• Ranges of non cellophane-wrapped greetings cards
• Paper straws
• Recycled paper/ pencils and recycled cotton tea towels
• Returnable, glass bottled milk, from a local dairy
• Locally made, reusable cotton face masks -- all proceeds from which supported a local business person who's business was forced to shut due to COVID

Wiliams – 160 years and counting...

We are taking the challenge of the next generation seriously, and we hope that Audlem residents will also continue to do so too -- not least by supporting all of our local shops & businesses. Next year marks our 160th year, and we sincerely hope we can enjoy serving our community for another 160 !