Hundreds of people in receipt of means-tested benefits came together this morning (6th April 2022) to celebrate the opening of Community Shop, an all-new social supermarket on Marwood Road.

The store, which is one of nine across the UK, will offer a lifeline to families facing the ongoing rise in the cost of living by offering surplus food and household products from major brands and retailers all at deeply discounted prices.

Revenue raised from the in-store sales is re-invested back into the local area through its Community Hub, where members can access personal development support, with sessions including everything from cookery clubs and home budgeting, to interview skills and business courses.

Community Shop Leicester, which will support around 750 members, also features a Community Kitchen that serves delicious low cost meals, with kids eating free every day, as well as a multi-purpose community space for local people and organisations to hire and use.

The store was opened thanks to the support of several partners including Leicester City Council, Leicester-based food manufacturer, Samworth Brothers and online supermarket, Ocado. The Leicester store is the third Community Shop that Ocado has funded in the last 12 months.

Community Shop membership is free and open to people who live locally, receive welfare support, and are motivated to make a positive change to their lives.

Natalie Brown, Head of Community Shop, said:

“These are incredibly challenging times financially for many families, with many worrying how they’ll manage to afford expensive energy bills and rising food prices, and we’re so pleased that we’re able to offer a helping hand to people in Leicester.”

Community Shop offers more than just deeply discounted food, providing wrap-around support through life-changing personal development programmes that deliver real change for individuals and communities. These help to rebuild lives, develop long-term aspiration change and empowerment in communities and break long-term dependency on food aid.

Jonathan Wiseman, General Counsel and Chief People Officer at Ocado Retail said:

"We look forward to supporting future openings and continuing to contribute surplus food and donations that play a key part in Community Shop’s mission to solve food poverty.”