A WIRRAL mum is set to open a 'zero waste' grocery shop in Birkenhead Market and plans to offer jobs to help the homeless 'get back on their feet.'

Emily Gleaves, 31, from Moreton, believes single use plastic is a 'massive' issue and wants to do her bit by launching a non-profit shop 'Waste Not Want Not' with all profits going back into the community.

The new shop will be the only zero waste store within 40 miles of Wirral and customers will have to bring their own containers, purchase one from the shop or take products home in paper bags.

It will stock products such as food, cleaning products, single use straws, bamboo toothbrushes and re-usable face wipes.

The store will also provide employment opportunities for the homeless and the recently housed.

Emily says she will also be looking to work with women who have been out of work for a while and may be nervous or finding it difficult to find employment.

Emily told the Globe: "Although we are seeing an increasing amount of vegan options the zero waste options seem to be lacking in the North West.

"I am a busy mum and often don't have time to buy things in advance online. I would rather just nip to the shops to pick something up.

"This is where the idea came about, I've done my research and found out there are a lot of people like me and there is a massive demand for this.

"Alongside this, I've always wanted to employ homeless people, this was after I was homeless myself and now I have the opportunity to do so.

Wirral Globe:

The shop in Birkenhead Market

"I try to help out with the homeless as much as I can, I took part in a sponsored sleep out a couple of years ago which raised more than £600.

"Although this was a great help I believe I can do more.

"By engaging with people at the right time, meaning they are stable and have a desire to work I hope I can help them get out of the vicious circle they have found themselves in.

"This business will bring customers from all over the North West including Wales and Southport. Customers have been in touch with their plans to car share as there are only a hand full of these business in operation in the UK.

"I hope this will encourage more new business owners to consider Birkenhead as a location especially the market as it's a brilliant location for transport and passing customers."

Emily hopes to raise £3,800 to go towards opening the new store.

So far £640 has been raised through Crowd Funding pages.

The mum-of-one added: "I already have the premises secured and enough stock to get the shop open but I will need some more funds to give customers exactly what they want.

"£3,800 will enable me to buy a water filter, economy scales, till system, 10 gravity dispensers, 10 scoop dispensers and 10 glass jars for spices and loose tea.

"Waste Not Want Not will give local people easy access to plastic free products, there is only so much recycling we can do, the only way to tackle the issue is to stop using plastic."

To donate visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/zero-waste-plastic-free-store-wirral