'Social supermarket' to take over vacant shop

A "social supermarket" offering low-cost food and support to escape financial hardship is to open at a third location in Kent.

SE Kitchen is due to open at the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham in October, adding to branches in Ashford and Ramsgate.

The food shops, run by Social Enterprise Kent, redistribute surplus food and offer cut-price groceries.

The community interest company's chief executive, Rebecca Smith, said: "We pride ourselves on creating a supportive, inclusive space where people can access what they need today while building a more stable, sustainable future."

The Chatham shop will be open to all Medway residents with no referral or membership required, and will provide a community meeting space.

It will also offer "wrap-around support designed to address the root causes of financial hardship", according to Medway Council.

Teresa Murray, the council's deputy leader, said access to affordable and healthy food was "critically important" and a key factor in people's well-being.

"Being able to put this new community supermarket in the heart of Chatham... is fantastic and will undoubtedly support the wider work we are undertaking," she said.

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