AN entrepreneur hopes to radically change the image of the humble shopping trolley with a new version aimed at festival-goers and campers.
Clacton businesswoman Jackie Clover has already seen enormous success with the Sholley, the first four-wheeled shopper which doubles as a discreet walking aid.
Her Sholley firm is currently celebrating being based in the town for 35 years.
Now Jackie wants to broaden its appeal to younger people with a new two-wheeler all-terrain model designed for the countryside, called the Donkee.
It is almost twice the size of a normal trolley and features a series of compartments which can carry everything from tents to large picnics.
The Donkee – which comes in blue or red polka-dot – can also be used as an ‘urban workhorse’ to replace the car on short journeys for larger supermarket shops.
Jackie’s Oxford Road-based firm – also called Sholley – is now looking for more experienced machinists to work on the fabric as she looks to ramp up production this year.
She says the £145 Donkee is as at home on campsites, festivals or on the beach.
Its reinforced lid is tough enough for a child to sit on and means the trolley can be used as a sturdy picnic table.
Compartments hold wine, glasses, plates and cutlery, there is even a separate cool bag with insulated pockets to keep drinks cold, and it folds away to the size of a large toddler buggy.
Jackie says her British-made trolleys aren’t just a hit with the elderly.
