New community shop launched by Linthouse Housing Association

The fantastic new development has come from Linthouse Housing Association in association with Good Food Scotland which is part of the Feeding Britain network.

The development – which opened its doors last week – aims to offer affordable items exclusively for residents in the G51 postcode area which covers Govan.

For membership costing just £1 a month, shoppers can access a wide range of food and household products at lower prices than can be found in supermarkets. It has a prime location at 1121 Govan Road in premises owned by Linthouse Housing Association. Prior to it becoming a shop it was a café.

Hailing the development, Linthouse Housing Association said the community shop was a “game changer” in combating hunger locally and was yet another way the housing provider was working with partners to tackle the crippling cost of living crisis.

Linthouse chief executive Irene C McFarlane, said: “This is a hugely-important development in delivering food dignity for the community we serve. The community shop is in a prime location which is easily accessible for local people.

“We readily acknowledge the partnership we have forged with Good Food Scotland and Feeding Britain to make this community shop a reality and to deliver low-cost shopping for as many people as possible.”

Linthouse also acknowledges vital financial support and staff time provided by BAe Systems through its “community investment” work.

Initially the shop will be open each Thursday from 10 to 1 but it’s hoped to extend these hours in due course if, as expected, the shop proves highly popular.

Items which can be purchased include household goods, fresh meat and dairy, frozen produce, pet food, hygiene items, sweet treats, baby essentials, laundry products and much more.

Good Food Scotland has a deeply impressive track record in helping communities access low cost food with its stated mission “to end hunger in Scotland”.

The organisation’s chair, Chris Stephens, added: “I’d like to thank the many partners who are working to assist the community with the launch of the shop. Case studies have shown that people are already making substantial savings by enthusiastically using it.”

Andrew Forsey OBE, national director of Feeding Britain who, like Chris attended the shop’s launch, said: “Almost 250 years after one of the country’s first co-operative shops was created, barely a mile along Govan Road, the Linthouse Community Shop will revive this spirit by bringing affordable, high-quality goods to the heart of the community.

“Crucially, this service will help residents stretch their budgets further and keep on top of household bills, without having to rely heavily on food banks. We are immensely grateful to Linthouse Housing Association for their support which has made the Community Shop possible.”

Other Linthouse contractors, namely Timetra, CCG, and the Bell Group, also provided valuable support to the project.