The shop, which first opened in 2025 as Kent County Council's first reuse shop, gives unwanted but good-quality items a second life rather than seeing them thrown away.
Following its success, the facility has been enlarged to include additional retail space, three shipping containers and a covered canopy area, allowing more items to be sold and creating a better shopping experience for customers.
Jamie Henderson led the official ribbon cutting, thanking partners at FCC Environment, KCC officers, site staff and residents "whose support and dedication have made this project such a success."
“The success of the Reuse Shop at New Romney has exceeded our expectations.”
The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Jamie Henderson, Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Coastal Regeneration, who said: "The success of the Reuse Shop at New Romney has exceeded our expectations. In just one year, residents have helped divert 31 tonnes of reusable items from disposal and given thousands of items a new lease of life.
‘This expanded facility will allow us to build on that success, saving even more valuable resources from becoming waste while making quality, affordable items available to local people.
‘Reuse sits at the heart of the waste hierarchy. Before we think about recycling, we should always ask whether an item can be used again. Every item sold through this shop helps reduce waste, conserve resources and support a more sustainable future for Kent.
‘I'd like to thank our partners at FCC Environment, KCC officers, site staff and residents whose support and dedication have made this project such a success."
Rory Brien, Head of Municipal Treatment at FCC Environment, said: “It’s important that we continue to offer these shops for reuse and provide spaces for reuse to become a daily habit. Our partnership with Kent County Council to expand this reuse shop is a direct response to its success since opening and that is something to be very proud of.”
Income generated through the shop supports local charities and helps fund future reuse initiatives across the county, extending the benefits of reuse to more communities.
The New Romney shop was the first Reuse Shop to open at a Kent Household Waste Recycling Centre and was later followed by a second shop at Allington. Together, the facilities are helping Kent residents reduce waste, reuse valuable items and support the county's ambitions to move towards a more circular economy.
