Community Shop, an award-winning social enterprise and the UK’s first social supermarket chain, has opened its first North West store, in Halton.
The store, which is located in Priory House, next to Runcorn Shopping City, provides high-quality, low-cost food and household products to members who live locally and receive welfare support.
Halton’s Mayor, Cllr Margaret Horabin , had the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the new store officially open. Chairman and Founder John Marren and Group Managing Director, Jane Marren, were also joined by representatives from Halton Borough Council, Onward Homes, Well North and other local organisations to mark the special occasion.
Community Shop is part of the UK’s leading redistribution organisation, Company Shop Group, and the new store’s shelves are stacked with surplus products that have predominantly been donated by major retailers and manufacturers, rather than going to waste.
The revenue raised from the in-store sales will be invested into the Community Hub, where members can gain access to personal development support, with sessions including everything cook club and home budgeting, to interview skills and business courses. The store will also run a Community Kitchen, offering wholesome hot meals to members.
The first flagship North West store has received widespread support locally including from local organisations Onward Homes, Halton Borough Council and Well North have generously provided capital investment to support the creation of the store, hub and kitchen.
Rooted in the communities they serve, Community Shop stores generate a transformational social impact by inspiring motivation and confidence in members, and improving health and economic outcomes for families.
The opening of Community Shop Halton follows the Group receiving a National Business Award for Positive Social Impact in November. The judges recognised the Group’s success in addressing social challenges and improving the communities in which they operate, as well as having a meaningful and sustainable social impact.
Halton is the fifth social supermarket in the Group’s network, following stores in South Yorkshire, Grimsby and London.
Chairman and Founder of Community Shop, John Marren, said:
“We are incredibly excited to be opening our first flagship Community Shop store in the North West and we are confident that we will generate transformational outcomes for families across Halton.
“We are very grateful for all the support we have received from Halton Borough Council, Onward Homes, Well North, tour industry partners and the local food businesses who have welcomed us with such open arms. The positive social, economic and environmental impact we will generate through our Community Shop Halton store would not be possible without their ongoing support.”
Cllr Ron Hignett, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, says:
“This is an excellent scheme which offers residents good food and household products at massively discounted prices. It will also provide opportunities for people to develop valuable life and employment skills. I am sure Community Shop will quickly become an integral part of the local community.”