Company Shop Middleton marks membership boom

Shopper in the Company Shop Middleton Store

The new Company Shop superstore in Company Shop Middleton, which stops good food going to waste, is celebrating a booming first three months of operation, with over 4,000 people signing up as members.

Company Shop takes food from retailers, manufacturers and brands that is perfectly good to eat, but can’t be sold in supermarkets due to such things as packaging and forecasting errors. Company Shop makes this food available to its members at a fraction of the recommended retail price.

Membership is open to individuals who work in food manufacturing, a sector which has a strong footprint in the region. Already, 43 local food supply chain businesses including Park Cakes, Robert McBride, Heinz, Princes and the 2 Sisters Food Group, are represented amongst the membership, but there are at least another 100 businesses locally whose staff would qualify to shop there.

The 8,000 square foot store, located on the Stakehill Industrial Estate, was opened by the Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Ray Dutton in November, who recognised the benefit it would bring to the local community.

As well as helping to stretch family budgets further, Company Shop Middleton also delivers benefits to the environment by stopping wholesome food ending up in landfill or anaerobic digestion. The store is also having a positive impact on the local economy, creating 50 new jobs.

Company Shop Director, Tom Rumboll, said: “We’ve had such a warm reception in Middleton and it’s been a great first three months.

“Members have already signed up from more than forty local businesses, but I would encourage anyone working in food manufacturing locally to get in touch and join us, so they too can get good food at great prices.

“We look forward to continuing to grow our business and deliver social, environmental and economic benefits to this community.”