Tameside opens its first Community Grocery

Tameside households struggling to make ends meet could soon get a shop for just £5 from the borough’s first ever Community Grocery.

Community Groceries aim to bridge the gap between foodbanks and supermarkets, providing affordable choice and access to food, household essentials and toiletries while also offering a range of wider support services designed to strengthen individuals, families and communities.

Tameside Council is working with The Message Trust and St Barnabas Church to open the borough’s first Community Grocery in Hattersley on Monday 28 September – with the intention to open further stores in several other locations in local towns in coming months.  

The project forms part of the council’s wider package of support, using the Government’s Crisis Resilience Fund, for residents most in need in the borough.

Community Groceries offer affordable shops from just £5 per visit and provide a dignified, supermarket‑style experience with a wide choice of fresh, frozen, and store cupboard items, supported by volunteers and a dedicated manager.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources Cllr Hugh Roderick said: “I’m pleased to be working with our partners and the community to open this Community Grocery in Hattersley, with more stores to follow across Tameside. Community Groceries offer practical support and choice that genuinely strengthens households across Tameside.

“I know how the cost of living can be a daily challenge for many – I volunteer in a local food bank and see for myself the difference practical community support can make for those in crisis. Community Groceries enhance and broaden the offer by providing a sustainable, longer-term solution. They give residents access to affordable food, reduce financial pressure on households and help people maintain their independence. By working together, food banks and Community Groceries ensure that support is available when people need it most, while helping them move towards greater security and wellbeing.”

Andy Hawthorne OBE, Global Chief Executive and Founder of The Message Trust said: “Escalating prices are having a massive impact on everyone’s lives, but for many it’s made life so difficult that they are having to choose between heating or eating. We can’t stand by and do nothing, so the Community Grocery is here to help and that’s why we’re opening a new store in Hattersley. Bridging the gap between food banks and supermarkets, we’re here to make it easier for our members to put food on the table by reducing the cost of the weekly shop, whilst also providing them with support and courses too. We can’t wait to welcome local people to Hattersley Community Grocery.”

Reverend Sam Durdant-Hollamby, Vicar at St Barnabas, Hattersley said: "As a church we are so excited about the Community Grocery opening. We’re always looking for ways to serve our neighbours and the Community Grocery gives us a tangible way to do this. It will help feed families, signpost people to support, and give people opportunities to join in with groups at every age and stage of life.”

Signing up at the grocery is easy and open to anyone. Membership costs just £1 per year and members are able to visit the store multiple times a week, choosing their own shopping for their families.

Hattersley Community Grocery can be found at St Barnabas Church Hattersley, Hattersley Rd East, Hyde, SK14 3EQ and will be open 9:30am – 4:30pm Monday - Friday each week.

To find out more about Hattersley Community Grocery head to communitygrocery.org.uk/hattersley