Helen Tandy, Director Eco Communities and Refill Chester Rep for City to Sea
When I was asked by City to Sea creators of Refill (a water refill project that’s now a National Campaign), could they interview me where else could I take them than New Chester Market. I am yet to see this footage but they spent a lot longer recording me filling up my water bottle at the various refill stations they have in the market, than interviewing me, so I decided it was time to quiz Adele and the team more about this quirky installation.
Friday 16th June was World Refill Day a global day of action to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. By choosing to reuse, we’re saving millions of pieces of plastic and sending a message to the rest of the world that the solutions to plastic pollution and the climate crisis are there – and together we can keep our environment, oceans, cities and communities plastic-free for the future.
Chester’s new market, in the heart of the Northgate Development, has been 30 years in the making. During that time, the designs may have evolved, but the aim has always been to build something unique for Chester. With this in mind they decided the Market water fountains needed to be unique too.
The market team provided me with the story:
‘The design inspiration has been taken from across the globe, in line with our ethos of ‘Shop Local, Eat Global’. We also wanted to make these fun, with each of the 3 water fountains having a distinct personality, but following a common theme of travel.
The Tardis – Dr Who is a British institution and what symbol could be more recognisable than a Tardis? Rather than transporting customers through time and space, just open the telephone door and our Tardis delivers water to the thirsty, and any visiting Time Lords.
The Tuk Tuk –a traditional mode of transport across most of Asia, our Tuk tuk has had many previous lives, and was most recently a retired prosecco bar. It now takes pride of place in the Market Garden, serving as a water dispenser, a give-and-take book shelf, as well as a display cabinet for the Market’s merchandise range of reusable cups, mugs, tote bags and aprons.
The Butcher’s Bike – this shed find is a 1957 Raleigh butcher’s bike which spent its best decades delivering local produce from independent businesses direct to their customers, and maybe even the odd Hovis loaf. This rusty old relic was saved from being scrapped and given a new lease of life. Where the wicker basket once sat there is now a basin and tap. You will find the bike at the main entrance by the florist.
Can you find these quirky refill stations mentioned above, take a picture of you filling up and share it on social media tag #refillchester @ecocommunities_ @newchestermarket. We can’t wait to see you all using these.
Sustainable Cheshire 