Sykes buys into community shop idea

Howard Sykes

OLDHAM’S Liberal Democrat leader has welcomed steps to introduce a community shop and bank.

Councillor Howard Sykes first suggested opening a community shop in Oldham in December after visiting the flagship Company Shop in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

He called on council leader Jim McMahon to “find the site and find the money” to bring the concept to Oldham as soon as possible.

A community shop operates community supermarkets selling low-cost, high quality surplus foodstuffs to those on means-tested benefits, backed by services to help them get back into work. Company Shop sources the food and provides logistical support.

Each shop works on a membership basis and can shop for food at prices 70 per cent lower than usual so members can feed their families within a limited budget.

There is also an on-site cafe with good, wholesome food cooked by an on-site chef, who teaches customers how to cook as well.

Councillor Sykes said: “A community shop is not just about food. It will enhance our Get Oldham Working offer and help more people from deprived communities find work.”

In February, Councillor Sykes wrote to Councillor Shoab Akhtar, asking Labour to consider a community bank.

He said: “In Hampshire, a community bank is about to commence operations later this year.

“The bank is a partnership between Liberal Democrat-run Eastleigh Borough Council and other social partners.

“It is based on a successful local banking system from Germany.

“The bank will support small and medium-sized businesses to secure money for investment more quickly and at lower interest rates.

“Such a bank would be a stimulant for local jobs and local businesses.

“As the emphasis is on lending locally, to green projects and recycling profits as a community windfall, there will also be improvements to our environment and benefits for local communities.

“A community bank looks like a real winner to me, and would be another practical example of cooperative Oldham in action. This is another in a long line of initiatives the Liberal Democrat Group has proposed to help Get Oldham Working.”

email: dawnmarsden@oldhamchronicle.co.uk