Community Shop Sunnyside has officially opened in Great Lever, Bolton. Located in the former Sunnyside Park Lodge in Great Lever, the new social supermarket is opening thanks to the support of Bolton family business, Warburtons, and Bolton Council.  

The new Community Shop, which opened on Wednesday morning, houses three distinct but interconnected spaces: Community Store, Community Hub and Community Kitchen. The new Community Shop provides access to deeply discounted food and household essentials, including its Plenty for 20 range which provides fruit, vegetables and bread for only 20p. Profits will be reinvested into the Community Hub, which delivers life-changing holistic support and development programmes, helping people across the local community to learn new skills and build their confidence. In addition, the Community Kitchen will enable people to connect with others and will offer home-cooked meals, with kids eating for free every day. 

Warburtons, who is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, and Bolton Council funded the regeneration of the former park lodge building into this new community asset.  

Community Shop Sunnyside is located at 1 Moisant Street, Bolton, BL3 3AT and operates on a membership basis, which is free to those who live locally and are in receipt of a means-tested benefit. People can sign up for their membership card now or in-store by speaking to a member of the team.  

Brett Warburton, Executive Director of Warburtons said: “We are delighted to support Community Shop and help open this store in our hometown. Warburtons has been part of this community for 150 years and we want to support people across the country and we hope this shop will become a central part of the local community, offering more than just food by connecting people and offering life changing support.” 

Gary Stott, OBE, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, said: “The whole Community Shop team is thrilled to welcome our new members into their new Community Shop today. Thanks to the support of Warburtons and Bolton Council we have rejuvenated a building that has been vacant for a long time and created a fantastic community asset that will support people across the Great Lever area for many years to come.  

“Unfortunately, more and more people are experiencing food insecurity, which is why partnerships like this one with Warburtons and Bolton Council are so important, helping people not only put affordable, quality food on their tables, but to develop their own capabilities and feel empowered to deliver a positive future for themselves.” 

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: "I’m delighted to see Community Shop open its doors in Bolton and become part of our Great Lever community. At a time when many families are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, this shop will provide practical support, while also creating opportunities for people to connect, learn new skills and build confidence. It’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations such as Warburtons come together to invest in people and help communities thrive." 

To mark the opening of the new Community Shop a giant Warburtons’ loaf was cut by Brett Warburton, before welcoming the local community into their new store.