Young Coleraine couple kickstart fundraising effort in bid to save zero-waste business

Unable to fund the move, Marc and Emily Williams, both 26, fear that if they are unable to reach their fundraising target they will have to close their business.

The duo from the north coast launched Coleraine-based Considered Co in March 2023 as a way of sharing their passion for low waste and sustainable lifestyles.

The shop offers plastic-free and packaging-free alternatives to traditional supermarket purchases, and stocks a range of bulk products from pasta to olive oil, and laundry liquid to toilet roll.

But the couple, who welcomed a baby daughter in January, said that issues with the current location are forcing them to relocate the business.

“Soon after we moved into our current location, we encountered some issues with the building, and none of these issues were really within our control to fix,” said Marc.

“Up until now we have been trying to find a resolution but recently it became clear that we wouldn’t be able to, and that’s why we need to move, because the issues affect the day to day running of our business.”

The couple launched their Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising £9,000 to help fund the move and essential works to the new location.

“We can’t personally afford to take out another loan, we thought about it but we can’t afford it,” added Marc.

“This is why we thought we would go to Kickstarter, we do have a community of people that do care about the business, and we are hoping that they are encouraged to donate.”

Since launching last week, their fundraiser has already secured 33 pledges totalling £2,571.

Marc said it was “really encouraging” to see the support their campaign had received but said he fears that if the target is not met the business will have to close.

“The Kickstarter is hugely important, the business will close if we don’t hit the target,” he added.

“If we don’t hit the target we won’t get any money and we won’t be able to keep going. It’s just not working where we are at the minute, so we need to move but we can’t afford to move.”

On the decision to turn to Kickstarter, Marc said he would like to see more support made available for smaller businesses.

He added: “It’s very risky and it’s very vulnerable and hard to just ask for help like this, you don’t see it happen very often.

“It’s very hard to just open up and say ‘we need help’, so it's been quite a step for us.”

Marc said Considered Co is key to providing a zero-waste alternative to the north coast, with the nearest shops over 30 mins away in Broughshane, Ballymena and in Eglinton, Co Londonderry.

“We’re really servicing the area almost exclusively, and I think it really ties with the north coast mentality, with being so close to nature and the beautiful scenery,” he said.

“We really hope that people who care about sustainability and local businesses will pledge their support and help us meet our target."