Community Shop Kirkdale is celebrating five remarkable years on Walton Road, marking a half-decade of meaningful impact and unwavering support for the local community. Tony McDonough reports
Since opening its doors, Community Shop Kirkdale has supported over 3,400 families, delivered nearly 37,000 personal development programmes through its Community Hub, and collectively saved members in Kirkdale an incredible £4.3 million on their shopping.
Launched during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kirkdale store became a vital lifeline for thousands of families across North Liverpool.
It has since developed an impressive portfolio of partners including Nestlé, Ocado, Riverside, Everton in the Community, and Onward Homes, which transformed its former offices into a store, kitchen and community hub.
The store offers discounted food and household items, while the kitchen provides a welcome dining space and wholesome, affordable meals. Profits are reinvested into a community hub, which provides training and enrichment programmes such as cook clubs, budgeting sessions and interview skills.
Over the past five years, the Kirkdale Community Kitchen has also provided more than 58,000 free meals for children, helping families manage their budgets in light of rapidly increasing cost pressures.
With food insecurity now affecting nearly 10 million people in the UK, including 2.7 million children, Community Shop’s approach offers a powerful alternative to traditional food aid—providing people with a choice, and creating long-term pathways out of poverty and hardship.
READ MORE: Are FE colleges ready to leave unis behind?
READ MORE: Sutcliffe makes 10-year training commitment
Joanne McGrath, Regional Community Wellbeing Manager, said: “Community Shop Kirkdale opened at a very challenging time, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved since.
“Many individuals and families across the area were experiencing deep social isolation and disconnection and Community Shop has become a vital hub, helping to rebuild those connections and provide a safe inclusive space where local people can come together, feel part of something, and access help and support they need.
“Providing dignified access to affordable food is just the starting point for the support we offer our members.
“Through our Community Hub and Community Kitchen, we deliver life-changing holistic programmes that empower people to build their skills, confidence and resilience, helping them to create a positive future for themselves.
“We look forward to continuing this work and building on the impact we’ve made in the years ahead.”