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Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 Community supermarket opens in shopping centre

Shoppers can access a wealth of budget-friendly groceries at the new social supermarket.
The SEK Community Food Shop has opened its doors in Chatham, offering affordable and healthy food options to the community. Gina English from SEK says the store is open to everyone and provides more than just access to food. "In addition to supporting people with food insecurity, we'll also be helping with employment, CVs, interview skills, budgeting, and money management," she said. The shop welcomes walk-in customers with no prior booking required and offers a range of budget-friendly groceries, including a £1 fruit and vegetable bag. The store redistributes surplus food to reduce waste and protect the environment. SEK already operates two similar stores in Kent, which have seen 55,500 transactions in the last year alone, saving 170 tonnes of food from going to waste. Initial funding for the new shop was provided by Medway Council through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Rod Taffs and Shirley Graves were among the first customers into the store, filling their baskets with bargains such as a box of 20 samosas for £1.50 and a big bag of chicken for £6. Medway Council leader Vince Maple said: "The ability to have good quality food at a reasonable price is a good thing... I think most people across Kent and Medway would want to see food not going to waste." The shop also has a confidential, soundproofed office pod where customers can seek personal advice and guidance. The SEK Community Food Shop in Chatham is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 18:00.