UK’s First Social Supermarket Opens Its Doors

Britain's first “social supermarket” opened for business in Yorkshire yesterday to help families str…

Britain's first “social supermarket” opened for business in Yorkshire yesterday to help families struggling to feed themselves.

The pioneering Community Shop will offer affordable food products to people living in a specific postcode and in receipt of welfare support. They will be eligible for discounts of up to 70 per cent on surplus goods.

The scheme is being led by social entrepreneur Sarah Dunwell and has won the backing of some of the UK’s largest retailers and manufacturers, including Asda and Morrisons.

Ms Dunwell, the former chief executive of Leeds-based Create, said: “With many families facing tough times in Barnsley, Company Shop wanted to do more to match surplus stock with people who really need it. So I was delighted to join the team to help develop and deliver the UK’s first social supermarket. “Industry surplus is hard to avoid, but what Community
Shop shows is that if we all work together we can make sure that surplus food delivers lasting social good. We are all very proud to launch Community Shop today and we look forward to partnering with the retail industry to make this a success during the pilot phase and beyond.”

Tesco, Ocado, The Co-operative Food, Marks & Spencer, Mondelez International, Tetley, Muller and Young’s are also supporting the Community Shop by diverting surplus to the pilot.