In an innovative move to generate further sources of income and become less reliant on outside funding, YMCA North Staffordshire has announced exciting plans to open a grocery store.
After forging a partnership with national retailer Spar, the proposed co-branded YMCA/SPAR (AF Blakemore) mini-supermarket, project-managed by YMCA’s Commercial Manager Linda Freeman, will be open to the whole community with all profits being ploughed back into the charity’s projects and services.
David Williams, YMCA North Staffordshire’s Director of Business Development, said: “Opening a shop will encourage more people onto the YMCA campus and when people spend their hard-earned cash, they will be investing in the young people of North Staffordshire.”
The shop, which received funding from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP’s Regional Growth Fund, will also create opportunities for young people being trained on YMCA North Staffordshire’s customer service and retail courses and they will be encouraged to apply for jobs and work experience placements. Other partners involved in developing the store include Poole Dick Associates, Laing O’Rourke and Ellis Hillman.