'My mental health has suffered so much': Beloved community shop announces shock closure
24.01.2024 - 16:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
In a sad turn of events, the community-based project Use 'Ya' Loaf in Wigan has announced its closure.
The shop which was aimed at diverting surplus food from landfills while addressing food poverty has closed its doors due to a surge in utility costs and limited food supplies.
Co-founder Victoria Wareing expressed the difficulties faced and said the project had been unable to secure essential support. "We haven't received the support needed; it's too late," she said.
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The initiative played a crucial role in repurposing surplus food to assist people struggling with food poverty. However, with manufacturers scaling back production and utility bills surging to an overwhelming £750 per week during the summer, sustaining the operation became financially untenable.
"My mental health has suffered so much. We have tried our hardest to keep it open which has affected our health," Victoria said.
She added: “We’re a tiny little shop and wanted to help people furloughed but now manufacturers struggle with utilities and have taken away that surplus - so for us to buy from them wouldn’t be at a price we’d be willing our clients to pay."
Use ‘Ya’ Loaf in Atherton, in Wigan confirmed the sad news yesterday morning (23 January) on social media.
In the post shared on Facebook, the team wrote: “It is with a heavy heart we have had to make the decision to close the shop. This will be our last week open, our last day is Saturday 27. Call in to grab a bargain as everything needs to go.”
Customers and residents were quick to respond in the comments, expressing heartbreak and disappointment at the update. One wrote: “Can you remember how you started during lockdown? Giving