It has now been two months since the launch of The Community Grocery in Wythenshawe.
And as we head into the festive season at full speed, after what has been an undoubtedly turbulent year due to ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the services provided by this charity-led initiative could not be more vital.
At a time when the stigma around the use of food banks seems to be almost as high as the rates of unemployment and the level of economic struggle, The Community Grocery is here to help.
Its mission is simple, but profound.
The Community Grocery exists to bridge the gap between supermarkets and food banks to allow people left in a vulnerable position as a result of the pandemic to have independence and dignity.
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And it’s really taken off.
The shop – which is part of The Message Trust’s site in Sharston – has been overwhelmed by the response since opening, and during the first couple of months alone has had over 750 families sign up to use the grocery system each week.
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Of these members, over 100 register for debt relief courses and over 200 request mental health support.
If all of that wasn’t amazing enough as it is, The Community Grocery’s impact has also extended to protecting the environment, by managing to save a whopping 84 tonnes of surplus food that would have otherwise gone to landfill.
But just how did this groundbreaking initiative start though?
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Well, it turns out The Community Grocery is just one cog in the wheel of the lifesaving work that The Message Trust has been carrying out this past year.
With the pandemic sadly pushing families closer to the poverty line than ever before, what began as a move by The Message Trust to re-purpose its community kitchens to feed the most vulnerable members of the community while the hospitality industry was temporarily closed back in April, saw The Mess Cafe – the community cafe which gives training and employment to ex-offenders, or those at risk of offending – become a hub for preparing and providing healthy meals to children missing out on their free school lunches, with a total of 60,000 meals sent out to those who need them most.
The support didn’t stop there either.
After realising that the need for such services was only increasing, a more sustainable and long-term option was brought about, and so, The Community Grocery was born.
The Community Grocery is passionate about individuals maintaining agency and continuing to support the local community beyond their primary needs.
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A shopper who signs up for a membership not only has access to The Community Grocery, but can also make the most of a range of wider support services, including debt relief, mental health services, job clubs, and cooking and life skills classes, as well as exploring a selection of Christianity courses provided by The Message Trust.
And now, with a growing community of families signed up and a capacity of 1000 members, The Community Grocery is reaching out and encouraging those who live locally and may have recently lost their job, are entitled to the free school meals programme, or are simply just struggling, to access the support.
You can pop by the store anytime during opening hours – 9:30am – 4:30pm – and the team will walk you through your first £3 shop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH8K2QOHnJD/
Looking ahead to the future, The Community Grocery has now managed to successfully secure funding to expand its offering across the North West region and is committed to launching another four groceries around Greater Manchester over the next four months.
The Community Grocery team is “so pleased” to be able to further serve local people in partnership with churches in the community to provide more available space.
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And this also means there will be the opportunity for members to access the benefits of The Community Grocery across multiple locations over the next few months, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to stay up to date on both Facebook and Instagram.
You can also find more information via The Community Grocery website here.
The Community Grocery, Message Enterprise Centre, Harper Road, Sharston, Manchester, M22 4RG.
Business
Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.
Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.
With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.
But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.
Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.
Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.
“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.
“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”
Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.
One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure
As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.
Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.
But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.
Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.
Locals left stunned and excited by ‘unrecognisable’ plans for returning Stockport pub
Danny Jones
Stockport locals have been left “stunned” and “buzzing” after seeing the plans for the soon-to-be reborn Golden Hind pub in Offerton.
We’ve seen plenty of refurbs over the past couple of years, but this one really does look unrecognisable – both their words and ours.
The Golden Hind, a former Hungry Horse and then Greene King pub, sadly closed in November of 2023 after more than half a century of serving Stopordian punters under the previous operators, with nearby residents rallying together to save the “community hub“.
While the initial efforts weren’t enough to prevent the no-nonsense boozer from closing, another Manc brewery is set to bring it back, having now revealed their vision for a major overhaul. The video below cycles through an overview of the plans:
Safe to say it’ll be quite the transformation should everything go ahead as expected.
Some residents have already noted similarities to the Puss in Boots on Nangreave Road in Heaviley, one of multiple Almond Family Pubs locations in the borough, but they’re hoping that restoring a food menu in line with their ‘traditional’ vision will help it rival the native group’s offerings.
Although ‘The Hind’ already had a popular SK beer garden, most notably, the updated ideas for the venue included a brand-new outdoor terrace, with planters, hanging baskets and other green elements, along with a brand-new glass porch and extra covered areas around the building.
The public house last saw renovations back in 2017, but these were mainly cosmetic (new chairs and tables, as well as a fresh lick of paint, etc.); this time, it’s getting a full relandscaping and more.
You can take another look at the proposed blueprints in full detail right HERE.
Further reinforcing what a loss it was to the area, plenty have not only expressed their excitement about the Golden Hind, but already asked whether dining will return as mentioned, not to mention enquiring about jobs both in a potential kitchen, behind the bar, as part of prospective cleaning staff and more.
As always with hospitality closures, it isn’t just food and drink that people lose out on; it’s jobs, steady incomes, and for many, an important social outlet.
That’s why so many people signed the previous petition to keep the much-loved watering hole alive, and while it may be under new ownership, they’ll be just glad to see it being revived.
Speaking on the project, Joseph Holt’s CEO Richard Kershaw said: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities.
It is at the core of our ethos, since we know they play such an important role not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of which will be happening once again once we complete our redevelopment of the Golden Hind.
“That’s why we are investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.”
Emily Sergeant -
27th November 2020 
