The store, which is located in Priory House, provides high-quality, low-cost food and household products to members who live locally and receive welfare support.

The Lord Mayor 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 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.”

Head of Community Shop, Natalie Brown, said:

“The Community Shop team are delighted to have now officially opened the store in Halton, which has taken months of hard work and preparation to get to where we are today. We have already been working very closely with the local charities and organisations in the area to ensure that we complement their services and that we are offering the very best retail and personal development proposition to our members."

Cllr Ron Hignett, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, says: