The Board Barn
Board Barn is an independent family run surf store, in the heart of Braunton. Stocking some of the worlds finest brands, whilst supporting local UK businesses and sustainable eco-friendly brands.
Since taking over in 2017 the shop owner Lee Willoughby has been working hard to create a greener more sustainable business.
Owner: Lee Willoughby
Actions taken to date:
Stocks a wide range of eco-friendly clothing, brands such as Dark Seas Division, Fall Bay and Olas Ocean Tribe. Stocks locally made produce, eco surf wax (thegoodwaxcompany) & even hand planes and bottle openers made from old skate boards!
Over 80% of their surf board collection comes from the UK – helping to support local shapers
Refuses to stock cheap body boards, instead sells @fatyakkayaksFat Yak boards made locally in Minehead from recycled plastic- ‘the most robust bodyboard you will come across’. Board Barn also stocks - Dick Pearce and Butch wooden belly boards.
Holds suppliers to account for the amount of unnecessary packaging they use when delivering goods, including an agreement with Toy factory in Cornwall to re-use Flexihex packaging. Rather than throwing it away the packaging can be used multiple times – saving resources and costs!
Board Barn uses recycled paper bags or re-uses old plastic bags from suppliers & uses paper tape and tissue paper for online orders. Any plastic or cardboard that can’t be used is recycled.
Uses Vegeware coffee cups and lids, offers a discount for using a reusable cup and free water re-fills
Changed to green energy supplier - Blue planet
Upgraded the shop lighting to use sensors, to reduce energy consumption
No aggressive chemicals used on board repairs
Working on
Replacing all lights to led/motion sensors lights
Minimising packaging received from suppliers
Contact The Board Barn
“A large proportion of the surfing community are very environmentally conscious, yet their insight to the inner workings of the industry is limited, the industry has a perception of environmental support whilst behind the scenes it largely remains the same as every other multi-billion-pound global industry. I feel my role as the face of the industry to the end user, I have a responsibility even a duty to offer my customers greener options.”