A new community supermarket has been officially opened.

Run by Dereham Wellspring Family Centre, the new shop, called the Food Cabin, welcomed its first customers on January 20.

The supermarket aims to provide food and toiletries at a discount to help people cope with the rising cost of living.

Toby Rouse and Jayne Olley, two of the people behind the project, said in a joint statement: "We are delighted to have opened this fantastic facility which will help reduce food costs for a number of Dereham residents.

"The Food Cabin may be small, but its size allows us to offer a more personnel, flexible and bespoke service."

Hugh King, mayor of Dereham, cut a ribbon at the opening of the supermarket at 35 Neatherd Road and thanked its team.

Food donations and toiletry items have been made by local businesses and national chains with a presence in the area including Morrisons, CC Wells, Tesco, Watton Bakery, and Boots.

Other local businesses such as Dereham Tile & Carpet, RSL fencing, Hughes,  Centre and Poundland have also supported the project, donating labour and equipment to put the new shop together.

Dereham Times: Dereham Wellspring Family Centre officially opened ‘The Food Cabin’, a new community supermarketDereham Wellspring Family Centre officially opened ‘The Food Cabin’, a new community supermarket (Image: Breckland Council)

The supermarket is being run on a membership basis.

Members - who must be based in Dereham - are able to sign up and shop with a discount of around 30pc. 

The Cabin has become the latest to join the Norfolk Community Foundation's Nourishing Norfolk Network, which already includes 14 other community supermarkets.

Dereham Times: Alison Webb, executive member for health and communities at Breckland Council,Alison Webb, executive member for health and communities at Breckland Council, (Image: Gary Donnison Photography 2021)

The supermarket is partly funded by Breckland Council.

Councillor Alison Webb, executive member for health and communities at Breckland, said: “As part of our Inspiring Communities programme we have helped fund this project to ensure low-income residents can access healthy, discounted food.

“We have supported several community supermarkets over the last 12 months, and they’ve proven to be invaluable to local residents."

The Cabin will be open on Wednesdays from 10am to midday, and on Fridays from 6pm to 8pm.

Find out more at www.wfcdereham.org/food-cabin/