More people in need turning to Weymouth social supermarket

The stores offer people who are struggling to afford to put food on the table a lifeline by providing it at an affordable price.

However, the latest figures from the Nest shops in Weymouth have confirmed that in 2024 alone 408 different households have used the service – including 301 children.

On average 125 shoppers come through its doors every week.

READ: Weymouth community store The Nest celebrates third birthday

Neil Hardisty said: "It's been very steady – quite surprising in a way – there are new people signing up more and more.

“Maybe five or six a week. The member numbers are up hugely.”

There are now 1,386 members with almost 200 new members signed up in recent months.

The supermarkets offer families 15 items for £6 or single people 10 items for £4. On top of that bread and fresh fruit and vegetables are free.

fresh fruit and veg at the Westham store (Image: Neil Hardisty)

The ethos behind the social supermarkets is to let people help themselves to get out of poverty.

READ: The Nest helps hundreds of people in first year

Mr Hardisty explains: “The point of a social supermarket is to move people up the scale.

“People can pay and contribute, and it does a lot for their self-belief.

“What we want is for people to become self-sufficient.

“We are all wanting to help people in a bad place.”

A recent survey asked customers to describe what the supermarket meant to them and it was clear how important it has become in the few years it has been open.

Some of the words used to describe the supermarket were ‘helpful’, and ‘friendly’ but more importantly people said that it ‘helps with the cost-of-living crisis’ and they are ‘able to afford to eat’.

READ: The Nest opens second community shop in Littlemoor

Not only is it providing access to affordable food, but the supermarket also has a keen eye on food waste.

Most of the food in the Nest is redistributed from four local supermarkets, however, Mr Hardisty remained puzzled as to why some others would not allow him and his team to pick up their waste products.

He said: “They are extremely generous; we pick up stuff every week that would otherwise be going to waste.

“It is one of the major things we do, to save on food waste.

“It’s really gutting that some shops waste so much;if we didn’t go, they would throw it all away.

He added: “Now that we are established, we hardly throw anything away.

“It is criminal – it’s why it bugs me that some supermarkets won’t or don’t give it to us.”

A café has also been opened offering cheap lunches – with members getting discounted rates.

A pot of tea costs just 20p and a baked potato with beans is just £1.50

It is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 2.15pm and doubles as a space for members of the community to meet each other.