Tesco store backtracks and vows to support Heywood Food Bank

Tesco has backtracked and changed their decision not to support Heywood’s local Food Bank. The store, which originally vowed to support Rochdale Food Bank, has now promised to donate £500 to Heywood Food Bank as well.

A cheque for £500 will be donated to the food bank at the official opening of Tesco on Bury Road, Heywood tomorrow (12 August), matching the donation made to Rochdale’s Food Bank.

Paul Daly, Priest at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Heywood said: “I received a call from Tesco’s PR department this afternoon (11 August) to say that their initial research was wrong and that they will now be donating to the [Heywood] food bank tomorrow.”

Adam Williams, Corporate affairs manager for Tesco North said: “We’re delighted to be making a £500 donation to both the Heywood and Rochdale food banks to help feed people in need in the local community. We look forward to welcoming our first customers through the doors tomorrow and supporting the local community for many years to come.”

Father Daly, who helped to set up the food bank, was angered by the original decision to donate funds and time to Rochdale food bank. He said: “Rochdale does a tremendous job but we expected a Heywood store to donate to a Heywood food bank.”

The decision also angered many locals from the area with Father Daly saying: “there was a lot of anger towards the decision.”

It is understood that when researching food banks in the area, Tesco overlooked Heywood and decided to donate their money to Rochdale food bank. At the time, it was understood that only one donation of £500 could be made per store.

Heywood Food Bank is currently responsible for handing out up to 50 food parcels per week to Heywood residents.

The new Tesco store will officially open tomorrow on Bury Road, Heywood.