Done Deal: Wolverhampton Has Signed Benjamin Šeško From………….read more.

Done Deal: Wolverhampton Has Signed Benjamin Šeško From………….read more.

The Good Shepherd, Wolves Foundation, and the City of Wolverhampton Council have collaborated to launch the Central Community Shop, a flagship location in a citywide network providing affordable food for Wolverhampton residents.

Thanks to funding from the national charity SJOG Hospitaller Services, the Pomegranate Café has also opened in the same building, offering a range of refreshments, including high-quality coffee and homemade snacks and lunches.

In its first six months, the Central Community Shop has attracted over 200 Wolverhampton residents, each paying a £3 annual membership fee. The shop has received support from other organizations, such as Wolves at Work, which distributes vouchers to their service users for use at the shop instead of larger supermarkets.

Additionally, fresh produce grown by participants in Wolves Foundation’s Head 4 Health program at their allotment has been donated to the community shop, further emphasizing the value of this partnership.

The Pomegranate Café has also thrived, providing a welcoming space not just for coffee, snacks, or lunch but also as a meeting venue, with the added benefit of free Wi-Fi, courtesy of the Council’s initiative.

Staff from the café have catered an event organized by the Council, and there are plans to expand their offerings, including pizza-making sessions during the school summer holidays and additional weekend openings to coincide with Wolves’ home matches and other city center events.

Pomegranate Café received a 5-star rating in its first Food Hygiene Inspection, and all proceeds are reinvested into the Good Shepherd’s free food and support services, along with other charitable activities.

Lucie Tait-Harris, the Good Shepherd’s project manager for Pomegranate and the Central Community Shop, expressed her satisfaction with the project’s progress, noting the shop’s popularity and the growing reputation of the café’s freshly cooked food. She also emphasized the ongoing work and future events planned to engage even more people.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, Leader of the Council, encouraged more residents to visit the Queen’s Building, praising the initiative for offering high-quality food at affordable prices in a beautiful setting. He emphasized the importance of continued support from city residents to ensure the enterprise thrives.

For Wolves Foundation, their involvement in the Queen’s Building project is part of their broader ‘Supporting Our Pack’ campaign, which provides various forms of advice and practical assistance to help people navigate the challenges of daily life. Tom Warren, a senior manager at Wolves Foundation, highlighted the positive impact of their collaboration with the Good Shepherd and the City of Wolverhampton Council, and the contributions of their staff, such as Ollie Locker, who has been instrumental in increasing registrations at the shop.

Located in Victoria Square, next to the city’s Bus Station, the Central Community Shop operates from 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Thursday, while the Pomegranate Café is open from 8 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday.