A community supermarket that has helped hundreds of families save money on their weekly shop is set to expand into Heybridge next month.
Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service (CVS) has secured the lease for 99 Wood Road, Heybridge, with backing from Maldon District Council, marking a significant expansion of the community supermarket service beyond the Dengie Peninsula.
The Maldon District Social Supermarket, which launched in September 2024, has already demonstrated its value to residents.
Recent figures from sessions in Southminster and Burnham show the service supported 172 households with more than 6,263 items, with families spending an average of £7.85 compared to £11.22 elsewhere – a saving of 30 per cent.
The expansion has been supported by £20,000 from the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to improve communities and increase life chances across the UK.
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Beyond providing affordable food, the new Heybridge site will serve as a community hub offering a range of services to residents.
Plans include an after-school gaming club for primary school children launching in September, alongside regular drop-in information sessions.
Sarah Troop, Director of Maldon and District CVS, said the Wood Road building offered "so much more potential for wider use" than initially planned.
"We are looking forward to creating a flexible community space benefitting residents in Heybridge and the district as a whole," she said. "Our first plan is to open up our community gaming initiative to primary school children through an after school club in September, but we are also looking at slow cooker demonstrations and winter warmth events."
The enhanced storage capabilities at the new premises will allow for greater product variety and improved value for all community members.
Council leader Richard Siddall welcomed the expansion, saying it demonstrated the authority's commitment to fostering stronger neighbourhoods.
"It's great to see the community supermarket flourishing and expanding its reach," he said. "By supporting Maldon and District CVS with their new site in Heybridge, we are helping to ensure that local families have access to affordable, nutritious food and vital community resources."
The supermarket is expected to open in mid-September, with further details to be announced.
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