Canvey Island bus aims to help people living on breadline

Holly Alberici from The Salvation Army says the service will make a significant impact

A double-decker bus has been refurbished into a low-cost mobile supermarket for people living on the "breadline".

Shoppers pay an annual sign-on fee of £5 in order to access a range of discounted groceries at the maximum price of £3 and minimum of 10p.

The Salvation Army in Canvey Island has called the renovated vehicle "Stuff on the Bus" and hopes to bridge the gap between food banks and rising prices in supermarkets.

Martha Whitehouse, 74, has started using the bus and said it was "fantastic", with groceries normally costing her "an arm and a leg".

"When you're living on the breadline, you have to make sure you know where every pound is going," she said.

"It is brilliant, I look forward to coming as well. It's beautiful, it's like a proper big supermarket."

Holly Alberici, pioneer leader of The Salvation Army on Canvey Island, said she believed the new service wouldmake a significant impact.

She said: "We are hoping to fill in the gap between food bank and supermarket.

"People can jump on board and get what they need. I'm looking forward to the community using the bus in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment."

The Salvation Army is working in partnership with Essex County Council and Feeding Britain by jointly funding the initiative, which aims to bring some relief to local people struggling to make ends meet.

The mobile supermarket will be on the bottom deck of the bus while the top deck will have facilities including a mobile banking unit; Employment Plus, a service run by The Salvation Army to help people become job-ready; and a wellbeing coach.

It was unveiled at a special event at The Paddocks Community Centre, Long Road on Friday and will initially run for two days a week.

A personal shopper service will be offered for disabled customers.