A company that redistributes millions of items of surplus food and household products to families – typically at half the usual price – hopes to create 110 jobs at a new regional base.
Company Shop wants to open a distribution centre and shop on an industrial park off the A47 west of Leicester.
Over the past five decades the company has built a network of six members-only stores, and now employs more than 700 people.
It handled 70 million items last year alone.
The business – said to be the 海角视频’s biggest redistributor of surplus food and household goods – said the shop would be open to people working in the emergency services and NHS and in food manufacturing.
It is asking Leicester City Council for planning permission for a 50,000 sq ft facility on the Leicester Distribution Park, creating around 110 new and permanent jobs.
It would help prevent millions of items from needlessly going to waste and allow members to benefit at heavily discounted prices.
Around two-thirds of the site will be used for processing, distribution and logistics, while the rest will become Company Shop’s first redistribution superstore in the city.
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Managing director Jane Marren said: “Following an extensive search for suitable premises we’re delighted to have submitted a change-of-use planning application for our first regional distribution hub in Leicester.
“This is an exciting step in our ambitious expansion plan, with the Midlands being a key focus for us.
“We are excited to be making this long-term investment in what will become our Midlands distribution hub, as we continue to expand.
“We have had several positive discussions with Leicester City Council and look forward to continuing to work with the local authority in the months and years ahead.
“Not only will Company Shop create 110 permanent, new jobs across processing, logistics and retail, we will be supporting hard-working families across Leicester to stretch their budgets, whilst preventing millions of items from going to waste and supporting the city’s ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2025.”
2020 Leicestershire news
The building is already standing but needs change-of-use permission.
Company Shop works with big retailers and manufacturers including Waitrose, Nestle, Iceland and Tesco to redistribute excess stock which might otherwise go to waste.
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Existing locations include Corby, Grimsby, Wentworth, St Helens and Renfrew.
The food it sells is deemed surplus because of things such as incorrect or wonky labelling, out-of-season packaging and overstocking.
If it gets planning Company Shop also wants to bring its Community Shop social enterprise to the city, providing good-quality food and help with debt and home budgeting to people in low income communities.
A planning decision is expected from Leicester City Council in the spring.