The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the report on Community Shop that will be presented to Oldham Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board next Tuesday (14th July).
Cllr Sykes wrote to Community Shop in December last year inviting them to work with him to establish an outlet in Oldham. After visiting the flagship store and the parent Company Shop in Barnsley in February, he called upon the Council Leader Cllr McMahon to “find the site and find the money” to bring the concept to the Borough as soon as is practicable.
Community Shop operates community supermarkets selling low-cost, high-quality surplus foodstuffs to people on means-tested benefits, backed by services to help them get back into work. Company Shop sources the food and provides logistical support.
Each shop works on a membership basis and can shop for food at prices 70 per cent lower than usual and so members can feed their families well within a limited budget.
There is also an on-site café with good, wholesome food cooked by an on-site chef, who teaches customers how to cook as well.
But Cllr Sykes has another reason to wish to see Community Shop in Oldham.
He explained: “Community Shop is not just about food. Community Shop will enhance our Get Oldham Working offer and help more people from deprived communities find work.”
Members enrol on tailored programmes to improve their self-confidence and job prospects. Working with mentors and professionals from local agencies based at the store, members receive help to make positive improvements in their lives and move back into employment.
Report below: