Community Shop opens On Tong Street Bradford

As the cost of living continues to weigh down on families in Bradford, Community Shop, the social enterprise of the Company Shop Group, opened today at the Avenue Retail Park on Tong Street, Bradford.

The store opening was announced at the end of July, and already over one thousand people have registered for a membership to gain access to highly discounted food.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tong Street Community Shop

Families and individuals who live in the area and are on means-tested benefits can apply for a membership as well as those who have been referred by partner organisations.

The Company Shop has been funded by local Bradford business Morrisons as well as Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Biffa.

Two eager shoppers at the front of the queue

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman said: “This is our tenth store and it’s always a momentous occasion when you get into double figures, and we’ve been working with partners in Bradford for quite a long time now to try and establish the right place.

“The thing that really matters is the people who will use the store.

“We’re not just about cheap food, we know that across the basket spend we’re 30 per cent in than retail price, saving £212 a month on their shopping bill.”

Community Kitchen- open to the public for discounted meals

Community Shop also has a Community Kitchen and Community Hub, where people can eat for less as well as take part in programmes funded by the store.

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The initiative is self-sustainable as all the money made from selling the product is put into the Community Kitchen and Community Hub.

Aprons for children's and adults Cook Club

Carl Dass, Store Manager, said: “I live in the area, and I know just how much of an impact this store is going to have on people.

“This has a real community feel and though we do work on a membership policy for Community Shop, the Community Kitchen and Community Hub are free for all to use.

“We have some amazing programmes for adults and children and the best thing is children eat free all year round.

“We know that parents often skip meals so that their children can eat, but here parents can eat well for less and they know their children will eat free, whether that’s breakfast, lunch or dinner.”

First shoppers to enter

Councillor Matt Edwards, said: "I am delighted to see Community Shop launch their first store in Bradford in Tong Ward. Over the last year, I have been helping them identify the right venue and I'm delighted they have found one right in the heart of the area. 

"The cost of living crisis has hit all of us hard, but many people in BD4 have been struggling for a long time and this is just what we need. It's more than a supermarket, it's a community hub and I look forward to working with them in the future."

The seating area in the Community Kitchen

Chelse Rusling, 25 from Dudley Hill, was queuing outside the store, she said: “I think it’ll benefit a lot of the community, everyone’s struggling right now.

“Community Shop offers fresh fruit and veg and it’s important for children to have nutritious meals.”

Darin Aljada, 37 and mum of four, was also in the queue. She has been in Bradford for three years and was keen to get inside.

She said: “It’s getting really expensive and we can’t pay the full price in shops.

“We want the best for our children.”

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