Appendix C
Questionnaire responses from BBLG members
The information provided in this report outlines the responses provided as a result of the
questionnaire submitted by members of the Blackpool Business Leadership Group. An outline of
the responses are provided under each question, together with additional comments that have
been provided to explain the response given.
1) What type of bag do you provide to customers?
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Free single use carrier bags: 2
A choice of a 5p normal carrier or 9p bag for life: 1
Paper: 2
Do not provide bags: 5
Cotton reusable bag: 1
Other: 1
Plastic bags when purchasing a sufficient amount of gifts from our retail shop
and brown paper bags when purchasing small gifts from the retail shop.
2) What are the main reasons for your choice in providing this bag?
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Plastic:
The money raised from sale of carrier bags as a business goes to Groundwork
charity who does work in the community.
Economical and easy to purchase – guests don’t want to purchase gifts with no
way of carrying them home.
Cheap to purchase.
Cheap, easy to print, waterproof and have a years supply in stock.
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Paper:
-
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Supplied by Head Office, in line with environmentally friendly brand more than
plastic bags.
Environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
Cotton reusable:
-
To encourage them to use it when they go shopping so they can reduce the
amount of plastic bags they use. It also shows that we are considering the
environment and sends out a positive message that we hope others will follow.
3) Who do you think is responsible for reducing the number of plastic bags that are used –
the customer or the retailer?

Customer: 2
Retailers operate on a cost basis and will provide a bag that is of little cost to the
business in order to maximise profit.
They can bring their own bags, but we must supply a bag if they do not in order
to provide good customer service.
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Retailer: 3
Could provide recycling options on-site to raise customer awareness and have
positive environmental impact.
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Both: 7
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Retailer by charging customers and also customers need to be climate and
environment aware.
Retailers could do more – always ask if people need a bag and by changing
attitudes and removing choices. If they only offer paper bags or reusable or
made it policy to ask this may help. Customers need to make more of an effort.
All guests needs to be asked if they require a plastic bag, giving them the option
to opt out, but at the same time carrying out our guest service.
Manufacturers should be encouraged to make more affordable alternatives.
4) A number of small towns across the UK have become ‘plastic bag free’ through a local
agreement between businesses. The business owners have agreed that they will no longer
provide customers with plastic bags. Would your business support any move for Blackpool
to become a 'plastic bag-free town'? Please explain the reasons why.
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Yes: 9
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In line with brand of Sea Life, actively promote ideas that reduce impact on
environment and creatures.
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Understand the sentiment. If it’s a voluntary scheme where businesses can
weigh up what extra it will cost them and then decide, then why not. Why
shouldn’t we encourage a bag free policy? Through awareness and gradual
public perception the tide will slowly turn against disposable plastics anyway.
-
An eco-friendly bag could be produced that promoted Blackpool shopping and
this would benefit all. Maybe the Hounds Hill could have a bag created in
collaboration with their store owners. Will send out a positive message about the
town and will help to reduce the bags that are discarded by tourists also.
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Is a huge issue with plastic bags – not sure how this would work but would
support the agreement if the customer is offered an alternative bag.
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Would require a customer education process to change a cycle of behaviour.
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It is not sustainable to utilise finite resources to produce bags and packaging
which is then discarded. More resource is then spent collecting it and disposing
of it.
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A stand needs to be made to reduce amount of plastic going to landfill – but all
parties need to take part, not just a few.
No: 3
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Overall it’s about education – if businesses don’t make bags freely available
and/or charge then the customer will eventually remember to take their own.
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The company already charges for bags and encourage re-useable bags usage.
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Not this year – we have too many plastic bags in stock
5) The Welsh Government is about to bring in a national 7p charge for all plastic single use
carrier bags. What do you think about this? Do you think the government should bring in a
similar policy for England?
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Would support: 5
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Make it 10p with surplus monies going to charity.
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M&S / Spar already do this. Give money to charity as well as for environmental
reasons.
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Prevents the consumers taking several bags when maybe less is needed, it is a
beneficial idea to keep plastic bags used to a minimum and in Blackpool there
are several shops that charge for the use of plastic bags already.
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The money raised should be used to clean up the environment. The public can
be educated to use there own bags or more sustainable paper bags.
Might support: 1
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The company has already introduced charging and seen a big reduction.
Would not support: 6
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Educate and encourage instead. Public awareness is growing. Gradually the tide
will turn anyway without the “big stick” dictatorial approach.
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May be a difficult one to push through as there are many people who may think it
is unfair. Companies like Marks and Spencer who charge for a regular bag is
unfair – would prefer if they offered a paper bag or a reusable one that are
charged for.
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Sometimes will need a plastic bag, i.e. for sharp products that would rip a paper
bag.
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The cost of a bag, if any, should be the responsibility of the retailer. A free bag
could be used as a competitive advantage in sales. Government should not get
involved in how a business is run. This would be another small step to tax by
stealth. Wales will at some point ask or impose their percentage of ‘bag tax’ on
retailers in the future.
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Businesses need to be encouraged to take responsibility, without being
financially penalised in these economically difficult times.
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We are already overtaxed. This is a bad idea.