'People queued out of the door when we opened'

Community Grocery's Simon Mitchell says the scheme helps people battling rising prices

BBC Simon Mitchell in the grocery. He is looking into the camera and smiling. He has short grey hair and is wearing a blue jumper. Behind him are large upright freezers filled with items of food, and shelves with packets of goods. — Community Grocery's Simon Mitchell says the scheme helps people battling rising prices

A community grocery offering discounted shopping has opened with the aim of helping people struggling with the cost of living.

The venture, in Darlington's Baptist Church on Corporation Road, sells produce such as fruit and vegetables, tinned goods and other household items.

Manager Neil Brumby said he hoped it would be "a real help to people in need", with the town's Northgate ward among the most-deprived in the country.

"We had people queuing out of the door at half nine when the store opened [on Tuesday]," he said.

An annual membership is £5, with the cost of a shop ranging from £5 for 12 items to £12.50 for 30.

The items, including some close to or just past their best before dates, are donated by partners including supermarket chains and would otherwise have likely been thrown away.

Mr Brumby said there had been "an influx of people" coming to register and do their first shop.

"They've been amazed by the amount of shopping they get for their money," he added.

'Pick what you want'

Simon Mitchell, Community Grocery's regional manager for the North East, said the scheme was important as "prices have gone up and up".

Intended to "provide a bridge between food banks and supermarkets", Mr Mitchell said one of the benefits was being able to "come and pick what you want off the shelves".

Gemma Burton says saving money on shopping means people can put more towards their heating costs

Gemma Burton. She has short brown hair brushed to her right and is wearing purple-rimmed glasses. She also has a black jacket and top. She is standing in front of shelves filled with jars of peanut butter, packets of oats and chicken stock. — Gemma Burton says saving money on shopping means people can put more towards their heating costs

Gemma Burton was among those signing up as a member.

"Everyone seems to be struggling now. You've got to watch your pennies wherever you go. If you can save a bit then it helps," she said.

"I think it will help, especially as it's in the heart of the community.

"It's very welcome [at this time of year]. It means people can actually have their heating on if they're balancing costs by getting their food a bit cheaper."

The Community Grocery is a partnership between the Baptist church and Christian organisation The Message Trust, and is the latest of more than 20 across the country.

As well as discounted food, members are able to access courses providing support with things such as cooking and money management.

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