Warburtons has teamed up with Bolton Council to help open a Community Shop social enterprise supermarket in Bolton.
The bakery business and the council are funding the transformation of a vacant building, formerly Sunnyside Park Lodge in Great Lever, into Community Shop Sunnyside.
Community Shop works with manufacturers and retailers across the grocery to redistribute surplus products that are in-date and safe to consume but are surplus for reasons such as mislabelling or overproduction. The Sunnyside shop will operate a free membership that is open to those who live locally and receive a means-tested benefit.
“Warburtons has supported Community Shop for a number of years, donating quality products for our members to enjoy, and I’m delighted that this new partnership will bring a new store to their hometown,” said Community Shop executive chairman Gary Stott.
Warburtons executive director Brett Warburton added that the business was proud to be able to help bring a new Community Shop to Bolton.
“As a family business, we believe we have a role to play in supporting the people in our communities across the country,” he said. “We hope this shop will become a central part of the community, connecting people and offering life changing support.”
The shop will provide access to deeply discounted food and household essentials, including its Plenty for 20 range which provides fruit, vegetables and bread for 20p.
Profits from shop sales will be reinvested into the Community Hub, which will offer support and development programmes to help people across the local community learn new skills and build their confidence.
The site will also house the Community Kitchen, a café that will enable people to connect with others and will offer home-cooked meals. Children can eat for free every day in the café.
“The impact of food insecurity goes way beyond just having enough food to support yourself and your family, which is why Community Shop offers much more than just discounted food and household products,” said Stott.
“Thanks to the support of Warburtons we will be able to provide local people and families with a hand up rather than a hand out, giving members the help and guidance they need to develop their own capabilities and feel empowered to deliver a positive future for themselves.”
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