Published: Monday, 24th August 2026
A new community supermarket – offering access to affordable, healthy and nutritious food – is set to open in Chatham this October.
It will be located on the first floor of The Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham, close to the recently-opened James Williams Healthy Living Centre .
The new supermarket will be operated by SEK Community Food Shop, part of Social Enterprise Kent. We have provided the initial funding through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
SEK Community Food Shop will offer a sustainable solution to rising food insecurity by combining low-cost shopping with wrap-around support designed to address the root causes of financial hardship.
The social supermarket will provide access to budget-friendly groceries, including a £1 fruit and vegetable bag, while also redistributing surplus food to reduce environmental waste. This means that people will be able to access good-quality food, as well as help to prevent food waste and protect the environment at the same time.
The space which will be transformed into the SEK Community Food Shop.
In addition, there will be a community space available for people to meet with council, community and partner services. They will be able to get advice and support with things like budgeting, energy, the financial support available as well as signposting to wider services.
The community supermarket will be open to all Medway residents, with no need for a referral or membership.
Build resilience
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said: “I am so pleased to see the progress that has been made on this project. Forward-thinking ideas like this are what the Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to support – not only does it offer immediate support to people, but there is also a focus on helping them to build resilience through the wrap-around services which will be in place. I would like to thank our welfare and public health teams, and SEK, for their collaborative approach on this important project.”
Access affordable and healthy food
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “Ensuring people have the ability to access affordable and healthy food is critically important and a key factor in their wellbeing. Being able to put this new community supermarket in the heart of Chatham, right next to the newly-opened James Williams Healthy Living Centre, is fantastic – and will undoubtedly support the wider work we are undertaking as part of Medway’s journey to become a Marmot Place.”
Expanding our support in communities
Rebecca Smith, CEO of Social Enterprise Kent, said: “We are excited to be expanding our support in communities. The new SEK Community Food Shop Chatham, is our third social supermarket branch, and they are about more than food. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive, inclusive space where people can access what they need today while building a more stable, sustainable future. Keep an eye on our socials for more information about when and where the space will be opening.”
See the wider financial support on offer in Medway.
Learn more about Social Enterprise Kent and the SEK Community Food Shop.