The Eco Basket

The Eco Basket ♻️ Refill store & café offering wholefoods, eco-friendly products, and great coffee.

Passionate about sustainability, supporting local, and making small changes that make a big difference.

It's already June. Time seems to be flying by, and while there's plenty happening, we've also found ourselves looking ba...
02/06/2026

It's already June. Time seems to be flying by, and while there's plenty happening, we've also found ourselves looking back and reflecting on the journey of The Eco Basket and all the incredible people who supported it along the way.

One of those reminders is about to go on the wall.

Over the stint of the shop Barry McGowan Art created a number of drawings for The Eco Basket. From the very first concept ideas, to rebranding discussions, Barry always had a way of taking an idea and bringing it to life with his imagination, creativity and unbelievable talent.

What we didn't know was that Barry had been working on another piece in the background. On our final day, he gifted it to Niall as a surprise. It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks.

The drawing now proudly hangs alongside the others, telling the story of the journey, the belief people had in what we were trying to build, and how far things came from those early ideas sketched out on paper.

It's also a reminder that every business is a work in progress. You have to keep adapting, keep changing tactics, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.

Thank you, Barry, for capturing so much of our story through your work. Your creativity has become a permanent part of The Eco Basket's journey, and we're incredibly grateful for it.

28/05/2026

We’ve become so used to processed snacks that we forget how good simple food can be.

Dates are naturally sweet, full of fibre, minerals and slow-release energy — without all the additives and processed ingredients found in so many chocolate bars and snacks.

But it’s bigger than health too.

Where our food comes from matters. We believe food should nourish people, not help fund war, conflict or exploitation.

As always, like, share & leave your thoughts below

27/05/2026

Disappointed to learn that a number of our previous videos, posts and pictures relating to council matters, rates, and issues we’ve highlighted before have apparently been reported and removed from social media.

Strangely enough, they all seem to relate to the same subject matter. We’ll never know who reported them, but it does make you wonder if we’ve maybe got under someone’s skin or upset a few people by speaking openly about things. Then again, maybe some people just don’t like looking bad in public.

That’s the joys of social media, I suppose.

Either way, we’ll continue speaking honestly about issues that matter to us and to many others. If anyone has an issue with something we’ve said, pick up the phone and deal with it directly instead of hiding behind reports and removals online.

OK… a few bits left now and with this perfect weather we’re finally getting the clear out almost finished ☀️The main thi...
26/05/2026

OK… a few bits left now and with this perfect weather we’re finally getting the clear out almost finished ☀️

The main thing left is our beloved custom counter — all 4.6m of it. Built from 18mm OSB and solid reclaimed natural wood flooring, this thing is an absolute gem for anyone with a café, restaurant, shop, or even someone building their own bar at home.

It’s got tonnes of storage at the back and was built properly to last. A real one-of-a-kind piece, custom made locally and full of character.

It still needs to be taken apart, but we’re clearing it at £500.

First come, first served. Deposits can be taken to secure it, as unfortunately we can’t hold items anymore due to too many no-shows before.

Send us a message if interested 👌

22/05/2026

The home garden is finally starting to come to life 🌱☀️

A few days of heat mixed with a bit of rain and suddenly everything is shooting up… including the weeds unfortunately 😂

But there’s plenty growing already — fresh lettuce, kale, broad beans (still calling them peas 🤷‍♂️) and more herbs than I know what to do with. There’s something class about stepping outside and picking food straight from the garden.

Still a lot to do, but it’s getting there

22/05/2026

We’re still working our way through the staff thank yous, and somehow once again… we didn’t get a proper photo 😅 This week it’s Cara’s turn.

Cara came on board with The Eco Basket last year and honestly hit the ground running. Coming from the legendary Maggie May's, she brought experience, confidence and a style all of her own into the shop from day one.

Her latte art looked like it had been painted onto the cup, and she was the mastermind behind so many of the drinks and food creations people loved. Including, of course, our forbidden off-menu “Tiocfaidh Ár Latte” — which may or may not have earned us a few angry private emails 😂 but sure, you only live once.

Cara could do it all. Multiple orders, coffees flying out, food on, till going, customers chatting, all without ever needing to ask for help. An unbelievable multitasker and someone who brought her own music, energy and personality into the shop every single day.

But beyond being an incredible staff member, Cara is just an incredible person. Life isn’t always fair, but Cara showed up with courage, strength and resilience that left us all in admiration.

Cara, you’ll be massively missed. Keep being you, never change, keep rocking and thank you for absolutely everything you done for the shop and for all of us in it.

And yes… just like with the rest of the staff goodbyes, the tears definitely came out again.

Niall

21/05/2026

If you’re buying immune shots every week… save your money and make your own.

This is such an easy little recipe and one batch will keep you going for up to 7 days

Just a few ingredients fresh and blended together at home

Heres my full video showing exactly how we make them. Oh and this post was edited for the people asking how it's done.

X3 tumeric sticks
X1 thumb size of ginger or personal preference
X1 pinch of black pepper
X1 pinch of salt
X1 squeeze of unwaxed lemon

Add to a mixer, fill with half a bottle / carton of apple juice and blend until smooth then pour.

21/05/2026

Really looking forward to getting the new podcast off the ground alongside everything else going on 🙌

Stories, characters, laughs, serious conversations and all the random madness in between.

The idea behind it is simple: real people, real chats, no pretending.

If you’d be interested in getting involved, coming on, sponsoring, collaborating or just having the craic, drop us a message 👀🎙️

And before the “ChatGPT wrote this” brigade arrive… don't worry its original 😂

Love yas really ❤️

A lot of people have been asking me what I’ve been doing since closing The Eco Basket. Well, even before we closed, I ha...
20/05/2026

A lot of people have been asking me what I’ve been doing since closing The Eco Basket. Well, even before we closed, I had already started going back to my community roots through work.

During the journey with the business, not taking a wage was never going to be sustainable long term, especially while constantly battling unfair business taxes and all the pressures that came through the door every single day. Looking back now, I’m genuinely glad I returned to the workplace and to an area I know well — community and charity work, where I’ve spent many, many years.

I’m now working with the Jack and Jill Foundation, helping fund support for children with neurodevelopmental delays and their families and a few other things.

The Eco Basket will always mean so much to me, and I’ll always be proud of what was built. But I’m also very grateful to now be in a role where I can continue helping people in another meaningful way.

Life moves in different chapters.

Niall ♥️

20/05/2026

🚨 Ignored again.

Despite countless letters to the Minister and Council regarding business rates, we still haven’t even received an acknowledgement.

What’s frustrating is that we didn’t just point out problems — we proposed solutions 💡

Our proposals include 👇

🏪 A tiered rates system to help small businesses survive and grow
📍 A published “Rates Zonal Plan” showing higher and lower rated areas
📋 Clear breakdowns explaining how commercial valuations are calculated
📊 Updated rental and rates reports for small towns & villages — not outdated 2023 figures
🚶 A full review of town centre footfall vs retail parks and outdated valuation systems created in 1977
🗺️ Greater transparency showing exactly where local rates money is spent and what drives rises in areas like Strabane

This isn’t about avoiding rates.

It’s about building a fairer, more transparent system that supports local businesses instead of watching town centres decline.

Empty shops generate nothing.
Thriving businesses create jobs, footfall, community, and long-term revenue.

It’s frustrating when you try to expose the failures in a system, offer realistic solutions, and still feel completely ignored.

But we’ll continue speaking about it.

Small businesses deserve better than silence. 💚

Retail NI

Address

Unit 5, Dock Street
Strabane

Opening Hours

Wednesday 8:45am - 4pm
Thursday 8:45am - 4pm
Friday 8:45am - 6pm
Saturday 8:45am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+447597627501

Website

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