A community food and cost of living support centre has opened its doors from a dedicated new building thanks to a grant of £43,000.
The Cambourne Community Shop is now operating from The Hub Community Centre, in High Street, Great Cambourne, which marks an exciting new chapter to secure its future for years to come.
Operated by Hope CIC, the Community Shop plays a vital role in helping local people access affordable goods while reducing food waste and bringing people together at the heart of the community.
The project has been made possible thanks to Cambourne Town Council securing £43,095 through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) distributed by South Cambridgeshire District Council, helping transform a new modular unit into a welcoming, accessible and sustainable community facility.
Fully clad and fitted out, the new premises offer a larger, dedicated space from which the Community Shop can continue to grow and support local people – it has become a lifeline for many residents, helping families stretch household budgets while preventing perfectly good food from going to waste.
Hope CIC operates the Cambourne Community Shop and a range of community support services across South Cambridgeshire. Originally launched in 2021 to help residents affected by the financial impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, the Community Shop has widened its reach to provide affordable food, household essentials and personal care items.
Mahesh Hettiarachchi, Founder of Hope CIC, said: “I would like to express my thanks to Cambourne Town Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, councillors, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, our funders, partners, volunteers and the local community for making this new home possible. Your support will allow us to continue helping local families, reducing food waste and creating a welcoming place where people can access food, essential items and wider community support. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey."
Cllr Dr. Lisa Redrup, Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "The Community Shop is one of Cambourne's real success stories. It supports residents, reduces waste and brings people together. We're delighted to see it move into a dedicated new space that will allow the service to continue growing and supporting people. The Rural England Prosperity Fund has been instrumental in making this happen, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for years to come."
The project is also expected to increase activity at The Hub and support the wider High Street by attracting more visitors, creating a welcoming destination and encouraging residents to access local services closer to home.
Cambourne Town Council hopes the new facility will open the door to even more opportunities in the future, including space for community groups, local organisations and additional services that benefit residents.
Accessible pathways have been installed to ensure the shop can be easily used by all members of the community, reflecting the Council's commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone.
Cllr Helene Leeming, a District councillor for Cambourne, said: “The opening of the new Community Shop represents an important investment in both the future of the High Street and the wellbeing of the local community, ensuring this valued service remains at the heart of Cambourne. I am delighted Hope CIC can move into this new premises and continue supporting so many people in our town. The relationships Hope CIC have built with members of the Cambourne community are life changing'.
A spokesperson for Cambourne Town Council said: “We're delighted to see the Cambourne Community Shop move into its new home in the modular unit to the rear of The Hub, following the successful completion of the procurement process. This project is about much more than a building – it's about investing in our community, supporting residents through the cost-of-living challenges, reducing food waste, and creating a welcoming space where people can come together. By securing funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, we've been able to provide a dedicated, accessible facility that will help ensure the Community Shop can continue to grow and support local people for many years to come. We'd like to thank everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. While it took longer than originally anticipated, we remained committed to delivering the best possible outcome. We're pleased that, through patience, collaboration and careful planning, the new facility has now been successfully completed. The wait has been worthwhile, and we're confident this new home will provide lasting benefits for the Community Shop and the people of Cambourne for many years to come."
This project was funded through the Rural England Prosperity programme which has now concluded. It has provided valuable investment in projects designed to strengthen rural communities and local high streets. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was lead authority for the fund, with the District Council overseeing the delivery of grants locally. Funding for the Cambourne Community Shop was awarded through the 2024/25 application round.
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