The Black Thistle, an eco conscious plant shop, is opening in Shepton Mallet, offering plants, supplies & workshops.
Ami Hensman is starting The Black Thistle, which will sell houseplants and eco-friendly supplies. She will also offer workshops to the community. The shop got selected for the Retail Incubator for 2025.
Interim Spaces, a charity, runs this incubator and lets people test their business ideas. Ami gets the space rent-free for nine months and also receives £1,500 and business mentoring.
Dan Simon, the director of Interim Spaces, said they were thrilled to choose Ami. He hopes this encourages more retail businesses. The shop is located in a historic building dating back to the 16th century and is Grade II-listed.
Interim Spaces bought it in 2023 and fixed it up, using funds from two organizations for the repairs. Ami wants her shop to be sustainable. She will sell plants grown in the UK without peat and also wants to reduce plastic waste.
The Black Thistle will be a resource for plant care and will also engage the community. Interim Spaces helps artists and entrepreneurs by reusing empty buildings to make affordable work and retail spaces.