Party Boutique's goal to go green after successful first year

Sam Morley and Astrid Saunders, who are behind Party Boutique UK in Southbourne, believe they have helped to make an impact locally and want to continue with their drive for sustainability.

The team have reduced single-use plastic across the board, offer eco-friendly balloons and never participate in balloon releases, instead exploring alternatives using bubbles and paper.

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Marketing and communications adviser Sam Morley said: “Party Boutique UK was born after Peeks, a long-standing party business in the local area, closed.

“Several members of staff from the previous business came together, gathering a few extra people along the way, to form a new company.

“But we thought why not do it a little differently, on a smaller scale and much more sustainably.”

Launched in 2020, Party Boutique UK has had a challenging first year of business with lockdowns and event postponements.

Through it all, the team has given their all to help customers, from producing over a thousand pounds worth of decorations in under 24 hours to hand spraying gold ducks and helping to decorate the recent Shake and Stir Festival in Southbourne.

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The drive to be green is certainly something that managing director Astrid Saunders is passionate about, continuing.

She added: “We all knew that the party and events industry hasn’t always been the most sustainable and we wanted to do better.

“It’s always easier to start with sustainable options and systems in place from the get-go rather than trying to add them in later, so we started as we meant to go on.

“We’ve reduced all our single-use plastic where possible and you wouldn’t believe the amazing things we’ve been able to create with paper instead, like our fantastic bat wall display we made for Halloween, and really sweet paper trinket boxes for wedding favours.

“We’ve found that when you have great, quality products on the shelves that just happen to be sustainable, people don’t really ask for the plastic alternatives. Similarly, many people don’t realise there are so many green alternatives to traditional decorations so don’t think to look for a more sustainable option.

“That’s why we see it as our responsibility to offer our customers green options and educate them on how they can have beautiful and sustainable events.”

Every customer is given a card explaining how to dispose of the biodegradable balloons and, for their foil balloons, Party Boutique UK offer a refill service so customers can bring them back to reuse for their next event.

Having struggled to get their business off the ground during the pandemic, Astrid and Sam hope that, now large events such as weddings and parties are back in full swing, people will want to go big but stay local and think sustainably.

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“We’ve definitely noticed a real surge in community spirit with an increase in people shopping locally over the past year,” Sam said.

“People shopping locally certainly made a real difference to us because it’s been fairly tricky at times starting a business during a pandemic.

“With events and gatherings put on pause, as well as lockdowns shutting our shop, things were a bit tough. But we made it through and if we can handle a first year like that, I think we can handle anything.

“So, now more than ever we think it’s important to do what we can to encourage people to continue shopping locally and taking care of their community.”