A RETURNABLE coffee cup scheme aimed at reducing single-use waste and promoting local businesses has launched in Winsford.

Following a successful launch in Chester during May last year, the Cheshire Cup Club is now operating in the town.

Four businesses have so far signed up and will be offering a 10 per cent discount on drinks using the 'Returnable Cheshire Cup'.

These cups are used for takeaway drinks and can be dropped at any participating business, which will wash them and put them back into circulation.

The driving force behind bringing the scheme to Winsford was residents Michelle Hawthorne and Drew Wynne, who contacted Eco Communities, a community enterprise which runs the Cheshire Cup Club.

Both passionate about supporting the local economy, Michelle and Drew, wanted to take positive action to strengthen the community of local businesses in Winsford in the face of delayed regeneration and the presence of large chains.

Michelle said: "Linking residents through the Cup Club helps to put local businesses front of mind when people are searching for their morning coffee fix, supporting community, local business and the environment all at the same time.

"We have a longer term aim to build a ‘Shop Local’ movement and we hope that locals will join the Cup Club to get us started."

The scheme officially launched at the Winsford Salt Fair on September 14 with the full support of Winsford Town Council.

The Old Star pub (Star Bites), The Electric Church, Norden's and Al's Plaice are the four businesses to sign up so far.

Michelle added: "The team from Eco Communities, along with local residents, including members of Winsford Sustainability Partnership (WiSP), will also be working with the town council on the Surfers Against Sewages Plastic Free Community project.

"This accreditation aims to reduce single use plastic within the town."

Helen Tandy, from Eco Communities UK CIC, said; “We achieved Plastic Free Chester in 2018 and have been working with other regions in Cheshire.

"The annual Winsford Salt Fair had a sustainable theme this year and so it seemed fitting to work with residents and community groups in the town to achieve the Plastic Free Community accreditation.”

Mayor of Winsford Cllr Wayne Fletcher added: “It was important to make the Salt Fair sustainable to align with environmental goals and reduce the event's ecological footprint.

"As a long-standing tradition celebrating Winsford's heritage, we felt it was essential to preserve the festival while ensuring it didn't contribute to modern environmental issues, such as waste or carbon emissions.

"A key initiative for Winsford is the introduction of a reusable cup scheme, which aims to minimise single-use plastic waste.

"By encouraging attendees to join the scheme and use these eco-friendly cups, the council takes a proactive step towards reducing the environmental impact in the town."

Residents can join Cheshire Cup Club for life for only a £2 donation by heading to the ecocommunitiesuk.com website and clicking 'Join Winsford Cup Club' on the home page.