A COMMUNITY supermarket is set to be opened on an estate in Colchester to support hundreds of households on lower incomes.
Essex County Council will open a new shop in Greenstead to provide residents with the chance to buy food and essentials at a low price.
It is hoped the new store will open in June or July, alongside a similiar store on Canvey Island.
Two shops are already up and running in Basildon and Jaywick, which collectively serve hundreds of members weekly.
The council now aims to be able to bring supermarkets to every district in Essex.
Louise McKinlay, deputy leader of Essex County Council and councillor responsible for community, partnerships and performance, said: "Following on from the success of our first two stores in Basildon and Jaywick, I am delighted we are now in a position to establish two further community supermarkets in Colchester and Canvey Island.
"These new shops will be designed and located directly with the needs of their local communities in mind.
"Our existing two stores are continuing to see their customer numbers grow, currently supporting around 620 adults and 340 children.
"I have heard first-hand from the customers how invaluable their weekly visits to the shop are."
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Greenstead councillor Tim Young welcomed the news and said he and his fellow ward councillors are “trying to help co-ordinate things to help it open as soon as possible”.
“It’s somewhere between a discount supermarket and the foodbank,” explained Mr Young.
The former Colchester mayor added: “It will provide an opportunity for people who have some money but can’t afford a full shop to retain their independence to buy and choose what they want from a shop rather than being given a parcel where they don’t have a choice.
“The need is there and it is another indication the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to impact people.”
The exact location of the community supermarket is to be decided, but Mr Young said he hopes it will be close to the foodbank, in Hawthorn Avenue, so the two projects can work in tandem with each other.
The project will create at least one job in Greenstead and will provide volunteering opportunities.
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