A new Community Supermarket is coming to Greenstead on 1 March 2024, providing local residents with the chance to buy food and household essentials at discounted prices.
For a small membership fee, residents with a Colchester postcode will be able to come and shop once a week at the Greenstead Community Supermarket. It is open Thursday to Saturday from 9:30am until 12:30pm.
The community supermarket offers people who may be struggling with food bills the opportunity to purchase food and household essentials at reduced prices, bridging the gap between food banks and affordable supermarkets.
The supermarket is being delivered in partnership with Colchester City Council, Essex County Council and the Divine Assembly Ministries; and has been made possible through funding from Colchester City Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with funding for storage provided through Colchester Borough Homes Community Fund.
The shop will be run by the Divine Assembly Ministries, a Colchester-based church led by Nigerian pastors who provide valuable support across the Community, including the BOAZ Outreach Project. It is the seventh community supermarket supported by Essex County Council’s levelling up funding. The other six community supermarkets are in Jaywick, Basildon (Vange and Laindon), Chelmsford, Canvey Island and Harlow.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Community, Partnerships and Performance, said: “I am delighted to be able to launch our seventh community supermarket in Essex. We are already seeing customer numbers grow in our other locations and residents are speaking about the impact the new supermarkets are having on the community.
“It’s not just about food. Our community supermarkets are also vital local hubs, bringing neighbours and communities together and offering a warm welcome and friendly face to anyone needing support.
“With more locations opening throughout 2024, there will soon be one in every borough / district / city of Essex, providing opportunities to residents across the county.”
Elizabeth Akinyemi, Co-pastor/Community Pastor of Divine Assembly Ministries said: “With ever increasing costs for every-day essentials, such as food and fuel, there is a real need to help families who may be struggling to make ends meet. We are ready to build relationships with all our customers and welcome anyone from the local area to pop in, choose some food you like and come and say hello.”
Cllr Alison Jay, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Transformation and Performance, said: “The introduction of this new Community Supermarket will mean that local people will be able to save some money on their weekly bills, giving them essential extra funds for things like utility bills or school uniform or anything else that their families need. We are so pleased to be able to support the local community to make this happen.”
Cllr Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “Community supermarkets are not only a cost-effective way of getting your shopping but can also bring areas together. Greenstead already has a really strong community, and I have no doubt that this will serve to forge even deeper ties in the neighbourhood.”
Join us for the official opening at 5, The Centre, Hawthorn Avenue, Greenstead Estate, Colchester CO4 3PX on 1 March 2024. Be the first to explore our new space and discover the convenience it brings to our community. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.
Page last reviewed: 28 February 2024