Community shop aims to expand after award

A shop group which helps people who are in receipt of welfare support is looking to expand in the North East – after earning a national award.

The Community Shop Group, which has a store in Washington, is the UK’s first social supermarket chain, and won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in the promoting opportunity category.

The Group says it is actively looking for opportunities to expand in the region to provide greater support in the area.

Company Shop Washington is open to those in receipt of means tested benefits – one of six social supermarkets in runs nationally.

Steph McGinty, group managing director, said: “This award is testament to the hard-work, dedication and constant innovation of our amazing colleagues, the many organisations and supporters we work closely with every day, as well as our generous and long-standing industry partners.

“We look forward to continuing to maximise the impact of our work, as we further expand our Community Shop network to provide food access and life-changing personal development support to even more people.”

Community Shop supports a total of 7,882 families, providing over 30 million meals and helping 642 people back into employment.

Natalie Brown, head of Community Shop, said: “We are honoured to have received a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

“It has been an extraordinary year, with the provision we deliver being more important than ever for families across the UK. Our brilliant teams have continued to connect, engage and inspire every member who comes through our doors.”