YOUNGSTERS are learning the importance of eco-friendly practices after a school opened its own refill shop run by pupils. 

The new eco-refill shop has opened at Great Tey Primary School in Chrismund Way.

The school was selected as one of 40 schools in Essex to set up a shop.

Children will be able to learn skills such as marketing, ordering, selling, stocktaking and profit and loss.

The shop will be selling washing-up liquid, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, laundry liquid and more.

Shoppers can bring along empty 500ml bottles and can pay by cash or card.

Colchester councillor for Lexden and Braiswick ward, Lewis Barber visited the school to see its new shop.

He said: "It was a pleasure to open the eco refill shop at Great Tey Primary School and hear what the children are already learning about the environment and business.

"I am sure this will be successful and will get great support from the community."

The school expressed its excitement following the opening, and hopes to expand its customers further than the children's parents and grandparents. 

Pupils plan to start marketing their new shop to members of the public to use.

A spokesman for the school said: “Councillor Lewis Barber was the latest customer at Great Tey Primary School’s Eco Refill shop this week.

“The shop, which was set up as part of Essex Year of Numbers initiative, opened on Monday last week, selling shampoo, washing-up liquid, hand soap and much more.

“As the children run the shop themselves, they are learning important Enterprise skills such as stocktaking, marketing and calculating profit – as well as learning all about the importance of recycling and reusing.

“The Eco-Refill shop’s grand opening on Monday saw more than 40 plastic bottles saved from landfill and £127 profit made.

“The children were delighted to serve their parents and grandparents – now they are hoping to market the shop more widely to the local community.”