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New Bolton community shop will combine affordable food, a café and practical support

Community Shop Sunnyside is due to open in Great Lever on 16 September, bringing discounted groceries, a community hub and a café together under one roof.

By THE TEA · 2 September 2026

Bradford Reservoir in Great Lever, Bolton, used as a representative local-area image for the Community Shop Sunnyside story; it does not depict the shop. Image: Bradford Reservoir, Great Lever by Bill Boaden / Geograph via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0Original source

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A new community shop combining affordable groceries, practical support and a community café is preparing to open in Great Lever this September.

Community Shop Sunnyside will officially open at 9.30am on Wednesday 16 September in the former Sunnyside Park Lodge. The project is being supported by Bolton-based Warburtons and Bolton Council.

The site will bring three connected services together. The Community Store will sell discounted food and household essentials, including the organisation’s Plenty for 20 range of fruit, vegetables and bread priced at 20p. The Community Hub will use income generated by the store to provide support and development programmes designed to help local people build skills and confidence.

A Community Kitchen café will also serve home-cooked meals and provide another place for people to meet. Children will be able to eat free every day.

The is intended to do more than reduce the cost of a weekly shop. By combining affordable food with learning, support and social space, the new centre is designed to give local residents practical help while creating a place where people can connect.

Community Shop Sunnyside is due to open on 16 September 2026.