25 years of the Refresh shop

25 years of the Refresh shop

It was a pleasure to visit the Wycombe Environment Centre’s Refresh Shop in its new location in Church Street and celebrate 25 years of fantastic work.

During the visit I toured the shop, met volunteers, and learned more about the centre’s ongoing work to reduce waste and promote a circular economy in the local area. The refresh team work alongside the Wycombe Repair Café to extend the life of everyday items and reduce landfill waste. 

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s origins and the vision of its founders, including Frances Alexander and Cllr Lesley Clarke, whose early leadership helped establish the centre as a cornerstone of local environmental action. 

The Wycombe Environment Centre continues to play a vital role in supporting sustainability initiatives, demonstrating how grassroots efforts can contribute to broader environmental goals. The Refresh shop is now open 7 days a week, 10-5 Monday to Saturday, and 1-5 on Sundays. 

A huge thank you to all the volunteers and Trustees from both the Refresh team and Wycombe Repair Café – your dedication makes such a difference.