THE LEADER of Bromsgrove District Council says the authority is working with partners in the town and in Redditch to ensure help is available to residents struggling in the cost of living crisis.
Coun Karen May was responding to calls from Bromsgrove Labour leader Coun Peter McDonald for the town to get a ‘community supermarket’ similar to one opened in Redditch.
A fortnight ago the Building Bridges Community Centre – housing a charity shop, community supermarket, launched in Redditch’s former County Court building.
Coun McDonald said: “With the cost of living going through the roof and a great number of residents struggling to make ends meet, there is an increasing need to support local people with more imaginative projects which allow them to provide for their families and avoid the stigma that can sometimes be associated with foodbanks.
“Redditch’s new community supermarket at the Building Bridges Community Centre, working with others, has been very successful in as much as it provides families with enough food, at low prices.
“Such a project in Bromsgrove will help to address the rise in living costs and ensure more local people do not fall into food poverty.
“With Bromsgrove and Redditch sharing services perhaps the most obvious benefit is that shared services can help to save time and money by consolidating various functions into one organisation or service provider. “
Coun McDonald has written to Kevin Dicks, the chief executive of both Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Councils, to convey his views.
Coun May said a leaflet detailing help available would be launched next week and would be complemented by a digital campaign.
Residents can visit bromsgrove.gov.uk/costofliving for more.
And she added: “We are continually looking at what else we can do, with our partners, to support our residents at this difficult time – this will include consideration of a Community Supermarket similar to the Building Bridges CIC.”
