A shop selling subsidised surplus food to famililes in need has opened in Tower Hamlets.

The Food Store, in Limborough House, Limehouse gives those struggling with finances the chance to buy groceries at a fraction of the usual price.

Shoppers are referred based on need and pay a weekly membership fee of £3.50 for an initial three months of use.

It was set up by Burdett Football Club (BFC) and is being supported by housing association Poplar HARCA, which offered the space for free, and funded by Tower Hamlets Council.

Masoom Ahmed, CEO of The Food Store said: “BFC is very pleased to deliver Tower Hamlet’s pilot Food Store right at the heart of the community where we are based.

“We are thankful to Poplar HARCA and the council for trusting us with a project that marks a step up from our food bank initiative. Our hope is that this pilot scheme succeeds in providing a holistic support to enable local people to weather the impact of food poverty.”