The store, located on Fawcett Street, was officially opened on 8 April 2026 by Community Shop, part of the Company Shop Group, owned by Biffa.
It marks the 16th site in the organisation’s network and has been delivered with funding support from Ocado Retail.
Community Shop operates as the UK’s first social supermarket, working with manufacturers and retailers across the grocery and FMCG sectors to intercept surplus products that remain in-date and safe for consumption but cannot be sold through conventional retail channels.
Reasons for surplus include mislabelling, overproduction and seasonal packaging changes.
Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Community Shop has had a huge impact on the communities which it serves since its launch in 2013, so we are delighted that it is opening its first store in Sunderland, with backing from the fantastic team at Ocado.
“It will provide a real respite to families struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis while providing a welcoming space for support and events.”
Surplus redistribution model
The Sunderland site will play a role in diverting edible surplus food from waste streams, aligning with wider industry efforts to reduce food waste and maximise resource efficiency.
Products redistributed through Community Shop are offered at significantly discounted prices to members, improving affordability while ensuring surplus goods are utilised.
The organisation’s model links surplus redistribution with social impact, targeting communities experiencing socio-economic inequality.
By combining food access with broader support services, Community Shop aims to tackle underlying causes of food insecurity.
Ocado Retail, which operates a customer hub in Sunderland supporting more than 1.2 million customers, has supported Community Shop for over a decade through surplus stock donations.
The retailer has now contributed to the opening of six Community Shop stores across England.
Jonathan Wiseman, General Counsel and Chief People Officer at Ocado Retail, added: “We’re proud to have supported Community Shop for over a decade and we’re delighted to have helped open this sixth store that’s within the heart of our Customer Hub in Sunderland.
“With many colleagues based in the area, we know the impact the Community Shop will bring to local communities and look forward to seeing its success.”
Three-part approach
The Fawcett Street site integrates three core elements:
- Community Store: providing discounted food and household items, including the “Plenty for 20” range offering fruit, vegetables and bread for 20p
- Community Hub: delivering programmes focused on skills development, employment support and financial resilience
- Community Kitchen: offering affordable meals and a social space, with free meals available for children daily
Profits generated by the store are reinvested into the Community Hub, supporting ongoing local development initiatives.
The project has also been supported by Sunderland City Council and the Voluntary Sector Alliance.
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