The Salford supermarket where you can do a weekly shop for £2.50

This is Salford’s first ‘social supermarket’ - where people battling to pay their bills can do a weekly shop for just £2.50.

Lucie’s Pantry in Pendleton opened less than three weeks ago, but is already helping hundreds of people stay afloat.

The store, set up by homeless charity Emmaus, provides fresh food and household essentials to people living on the breadline, in the hope of preventing them becoming homeless too.

Within days of its opening, more than 70 residents had become regular customers.

A membership fee of just £2.50 a week entitles people to £15 worth of shopping every Wednesday, Friday or Sunday.

Food from the charity Fareshare makes up the bulk of the stock, while other donations also include sanitary products, household essentials and pet food, meaning people can do a full weekly shop for a fraction of the normal price.

Simon Locke, community leader at Emmaus Salford, said the store is more than a food bank - because its members don't just get handed a parcel.

Emmaus is a network of communities made up of formerly homeless people, all living and working together.

By growing their own food, up-cycling furniture and working in its charity shop, over time people gain the confidence and skills to go it alone.

This is the first time it has set up a ‘superstore’, however, in the hope of helping other people avoid homelessness.

Simon said poverty in the area is getting worse.

The store is not only packed full of tinned goods, but also fresh fruit and veg, baby food, meat, cakes and cheese.

Kat Bowen, 29, has been going to the store with her 18-month-old son Jaxon since it opened, after being referred by a housing officer.