Community Shop Lambeth to support hundreds more people in the local community after extensive makeover

Community Shop, the award-winning social supermarket, has reopened its Lambeth store today following a major refurbishment which will allow it to support around 750 people on the cusp of food poverty.

As part of the refurbishment, the store has been completely redecorated, and has also been kitted out with new equipment which will allow it to provide a wider variety of deeply discounted surplus food and household products to its members.

Community Shop Lambeth will now be able to host even more community events, using the store’s redesigned outdoor space and also in the revamped Community Hub. Members will also be able to access a much wider range of support programmes which help them learn new skills and overcome barriers to employment or accessing education.

The store has also increased the capacity of its Community Kitchen with brand-new comfortable seating and furniture, with new chef mentor providing a delicious range of freshly cooked meals at affordable prices from the site on Vale Street (SE27 9PA).

Natalie Brown, Head of Community Shop, said: “It’s fitting that we’re re-opening Community Shop Lambeth today on the sixth anniversary of its opening. Over the last six years the Community Shop team has made a tremendous difference to the lives of hundreds of members across the Lambeth Borough, by providing affordable, high-quality food as well as a diverse range of life-changing learning and development opportunities.

“This extensive renovation will allow Community Shop Lambeth to support more than twice the number of members it previously could, in a welcoming space that will truly bring local people and the wider community together, helping to inspire them to make a positive change in their lives.”

Community Shop, which was recently presented with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, is made up of a network of eight social supermarket stores across some of the UK’s most deprived communities.

Over the years, Community Shop has supported more than 10,000 members and their families. Anyone who lived locally, receives welfare support, and are motivated to make a positive change to their lives can apply to join for free.

Members can buy deeply discounted food and products, predominantly donated by major retailers and manufacturers, which are surplus for reasons such as incorrect labelling and seasonal packaging.

Learn more here: www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/communityshop