Mark Smith with Pranav Chopra

A new twist on a longstanding British tradition, now with an underlying mission to empower refugees, is being launched in selected local co-operative convenience stores.

NEMI Teas is a London-based social enterprise and tea company which empowers refugees through employment and leadership opportunities within its business.

The new specialist tea range, which is supplied in biodegradable and plastic-free teabags, is being added at a number of Co-operative Food stores operated by Southern Co-op from Monday 13 January as part of its Local Flavours range.

NEMI Teas and Southern Co-op share a relationship with the Prince’s Responsible Business network, Business in the Community (BITC). In 2019 NEMI Teas won BITC’s Unipart Outstanding Employment Award for small businesses.

The Chief Executives of the two businesses got to know each other through a shared interest in responsible business and committed their teams to work together to bring the products into Southern Co-op’s stores.

Mark Smith, Chief Executive of Southern Co-op, said: “Southern Co-op has been active in BITC membership for some time and I am delighted that this relationship has come from there. Our team is really excited to be working with Pranav to help them scale up their business.

“We hope that by offering these excellent new products to our Local Flavours customers we will be able to support further growth for NEMI and the amazing work they do with the refugees.”

Pranav Chopra, CEO of NEMI Teas, said: “NEMI Teas began with the basic premise of wanting to help refugees overcome two major hurdles they face when looking to break in to the UK workforce – lack of local work experience and not having access to a local referee.

“The work experience gained at NEMI Teas also provides the refugees an opportunity to practice their English language skills and regain their confidence. The business has gained significant traction and support over the last three years and we look to scale our impact in the coming years.”

NEMI Teas sets aside 20 per cent of its budget towards the hiring, training and upskilling of the refugees.

By empowering refugees with employment, the scheme has to date enabled two thirds of the refugees involved so far to go on to secure permanent part-time and full-time jobs.

NEMI Teas’ products will be available to buy in Southern Co-op’s stores in and around London. These stores include Nork Way in Banstead, Arthur Road in Windsor, Station Road in Oxted, London Road in Reigate, New Haw Road in Addlestone, Uxbridge Road in Ealing, Market Place in Wokingham, Fordwater Road in Chertsey, Ridgway in Wimbledon, White Horse Hill in Chislehurst, and Forest Road in Binfield.

For more information on Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/food/local-flavours/.

For more information on NEMI Teas, visit www.nemiteas.com.

For more information on Business in the Community, visit www.bitc.org.uk.