Off Topic Hull City Centre Public Realm Strategy

Plum said:

I agree there are issues to be overcome but I think the basic premise is ok. I'm guessing most of the workers will be volunteers so no NI/tax liabilities. In the Bransholme venture it seems that people pay a membership, which allows reduction of prices in the cafe, not sure about food purchases though. My post was more about the redistribution of food than what the cafe was doing. But re the cafe, maybe they're only allowed to have it if there's no other within a x-mile radius, maybe their choice is limited so many wouldn't fancy it, maybe their customers are those who wouldn't be going to a cafe at all if it wasn't as cheap as this one appears to be.
What I'm saying is that a community shop can be a good way of selling products that nobody else wants. It doesn't have to be given away free.

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Theres a very large Greggs in there which is never short on clientele in the eat in bit.

originallambrettaman said:

This new community shop isn't in North Point Shopping Centre, it's a couple of miles away.

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Award-winning social enterprise Community Shop, part of Company Shop Group, has expanded its network of social supermarkets, opening a new store in North Bransholme, Hull.

The new store is the 15th in its pioneering network of social supermarkets, and has opened thanks to the support of McCain Foods, the UK’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products. Having already funded a Community Shop in Eastfield, near Scarborough, McCain Foods has strengthened its partnership with Community Shop through product donations that will support the new North Bransholme store.

Community Shop works in partnership with manufacturers and retailers across the grocery and FMCG sectors to redistribute surplus products that are in-date and safe to consume but are surplus for reasons such as mislabelling, overproduction, or seasonal packaging. Products are sold in-store at discounted prices, and with the profits reinvested directly back into the community, Community Shop not only eases the strain on household budgets, but creates a self-sustaining alternative to short-term food aid, providing thousands of families with dignity, choice and the opportunity to build lasting resilience.

The new store in North Bransholme is made up of three distinct but interconnected spaces: Community Store, Community Hub and Community Kitchen.

Its Community Store will provide members with access to deeply discounted food and essentials, including its Plenty for 20 range which provides fruit, vegetables and bread for only 20p. Profits will be reinvested into its Community Hub, which will deliver life-changing holistic support and development, empowering people across the local community to learn new skills and build their confidence. Community Kitchen will offer a café that enables people to connect with others and will offer home-cooked meals, with kids eating for free every day.

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The store opening comes at a critical time, as food insecurity reaches record levels across the UK. According to the Trussell Trust’s Hunger in the UK 2025 report, almost one in three children under five now live in households facing hunger, and nearly a third of food bank users come from working families.

Against this backdrop, Community Shop’s model has never been more vital. Since its inception in 2013, Community Shop has supported over 104,000 families through this model, embedding resilience within communities and improving people’s circumstances for the long-term.

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, commented: “For the past 12 years, Community Shop has not only provided our members with access to deeply discounted food and households products, but also provided life-changing programmes and holistic support so that our members develop their own capabilities and feel empowered to deliver a positive future for themselves. Thanks to the support of McCain Foods, we’re continuing our mission to build stronger individuals and more confident communities, and we were delighted to welcome so many people from across the North Bransholme community into their new store.”

Jillian Moffatt, Regional President GB&I at McCain, added: “It’s a privilege to support an initiative like Community Shop and we’re delighted to further strengthen our partnership through the opening of the new store in Hull.”

The new store is located within the North Bransholme Community Centre (Lothian Way, Hull, HU7 5DD) where it shares the building with the Paul Ingle Boxing Academy.

Community Shop Membership.​

Community Shop is a network of 15 UK membership-based stores. Membership is free for people who live nearby and qualify for a means-tested benefit.

To join, apply online or find your nearest Community Shop and get in touch.

Means-tested benefits include things like Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Tax Credits, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

They also provide training etc

Jim the Tiger said:

Hopefully it won't be abused. Couple of years ago we saw someone leaving Tommy Coyles Christmas giveaway with arms full of toys and stuff. He works full time and follows rovers home and away as well as on the pop most weekends around town. I'm not sure these things are meant for people like him but the thick t**t decided he was getting some free gifts.

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Not sure this is the same though.
Even though it’s cheap I assume they want as many people as possible to use it (unless it clears the shelves maybe but their business model seems to rely on cheap food that wouldn’t get sold in other shops sold cheaply)
I agree with your concern over use of things like Tommy’s stuff

balkan tiger said:

But it distorts the market place, how can the other cafes compete? they have to pay staff the minimum wage and all the relevant taxes and NI on top. The existing cafes buy in stock from the likes of booker and costco. If this new place is staffed by volunteers and gets the food given of course they will have an advantage, even more so when the others go bust.

Then there is the question of the social security safety net, minimum wage soon to be up to 12.50hr (wish i was getting that) then there is the benefit system which means some are better off not working,

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Is it staffed by volunteers?
I genuinely don’t know but certainly some social enterprises employ people the same as limited companies do (in fact most are limited companies, just not run to create profit)

dennisboothstash said:

Not sure this is the same though.
Even though it’s cheap I assume they want as many people as possible to use it (unless it clears the shelves maybe but their business model seems to rely on cheap food that wouldn’t get sold in other shops sold cheaply)
I agree with your concern over use of things like Tommy’s stuff

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Yeah I saw later on Den that the members have to be means tested and on benefits (whole new conversation itself but not for here).
That should mean the cheap food is not sold to people who are working etc.

It actually seems to be a great idea, might be a successful way to help those in need hopefully

I read that Molly Mangans Irish pub is opening this weekend in Newland Ave. Anybody on here going? I think I'd be avoiding the area for a few days...