Company Shop Dudley officially opened its doors today at 10am, meaning thousands of members can now benefit from high-quality, low-cost food and products – helping to stretch family budgets.
The opening was attended by the Mayor of Dudley Cllr David Stanley and the MP for Dudley North Marco Longhi, with the Mayor cutting the ribbon to announce the store officially open for business.
Company Shop Dudley is located at Castle Mill on Birmingham New Road (DY1 4DA), and the shelves are stacked with food and products from big-name brands such as Marks and Spencer, Nestlé and Tesco, which are on typically around 50% off the normal retail price.
The store prevents good food and household products from going to waste and has created 47 new jobs in the area, tackling the challenge of food and product waste whilst supporting families and the local economy.
Membership is open to almost all key workers, including those working in the NHS, social care, emergency services, FMCG supply chain, British Army and prison services, and temporarily to those working in schools and councils, amongst others. Anyone who is eligible for membership can sign up for a free membership card online, with applications open on an ongoing basis.
Company Shop Dudley has also extended its membership to those in receipt of means tested benefits, including families with children receiving Free School Meals (FSM). This is in order to reach those most in need across the region, during a time when it’s most critical to do so.
For local manufacturers, retailers and brands who are looking to do something positive with their surplus products, Company Shop is encouraging them to get in touch to see how the store can help them.
Marco Longhi MP, said:
"I met with their management team back in the summer to get a better understanding of their business and the tremendous community work they do.
"It is great to see such a large investment in Dudley which is creating new jobs, despite the pandemic. I think the Company Shop business model is clever and really is environmentalism in-action. Without them so much of this food would have gone to waste.
"It is also great for key workers, amongst others who will be able to benefit for discounts. I have promised to keep in touch with the management, so Dudley can also benefit from the community element with focuses on up skilling local people, including providing training.
Sally Wake, Head of Strategic Relationships for Company Shop Group said:
“We are so excited to have opened the doors of Company Shop Dudley, and we are pleased to be able to support the region at this crucial time through our offer of high-quality, low-cost products that also help to prevent waste.
“We’re so grateful for the support we have received along the way to make this possible, from our industry partners, members, local organisations, Dudley Council and the wider community, and in particular from Mr Longhi and Mr Mayor, who joined us to mark this momentous occasion.
“For anyone who is eligible but has not signed up for membership yet, we want to encourage them to do so right away, so that they too can benefit from our amazing offers.”
