Big savings on offer at ‘secret supermarket’
...BUT ONLY IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE SELECT GROUP OF PEOPLE ALLOWED IN
THERE’S a little known membersonly shop in Greater Manchester where customers can get 60 per cent off big-name brands.
Company Shop sells surplus food at discounted prices as a way of reducing waste and giving back to the community.
Never heard of it? Well you can be forgiven, because the only branch in our region is hidden away on an industrial estate in Middleton.
Company Shop sells surplus food and household items from other places like ASDA, Morrisons, The Co-op, M&S, Tesco, Nestlé, Ocado, Tetley, Young’s and Muller.. The food costs about 60 per cent less than its recommended retail price.
Stock includes items that are misshapen, close to their sell-by date or have damaged or incorrect promotional packaging.
The food industry throws away around 3.5m tonnes of food away every year, and Company Shop aims to reduce this.
As stock is limited, the shop is strictly members only, although members can bring one guest with them per visit.
To become a member, you must be over 18 and either work in the emergency services – including fire brigade, police and NHS, or be a current or retired employee of a company that supplies food to Company Shop. The store has a long list of suppliers across the food industry.
There are five Company Shop stores in the UK, with a sixth due to open this month.
Company Shop director Tom Rumboll said: “We’ve had such a warm reception in Middleton.
“Members have already signed up from more than 40 local businesses, but I would encourage anyone working in food manufacturing locally to get in touch and join us, so they too can get good food at great prices.”
Hidden away at Stakehill Industrial Estate, Touchet Hall Road, Middleton, the store opens Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday 8am to 6pm; and Sunday 10am to 4pm (open from 9.30 to allow 30 minutes’ viewing time).
For details of membership, see www.companyshop.co.uk.