Church Wigan and the Diocese of Liverpool recently welcomed Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, to officially open the new Ashton Pantry Café in Wigan. Andy Burnham first visited Ashton Pantry in 2024 and offered further encouragement to the team. A year later he returned to officially open the new kitchen and café and, in keeping with the spirit of the day, the occasion was marked not with a ribbon-cutting, but with the mayor pouring the first ceremonial cup of tea, showcasing the warmth Ashton Pantry will provide to the wider community of Wigan.
The idea of Ashton Pantry began after Revd Sue Thomas and her team were inspired in 2019 by a similar community pantry at Marsh Green. Seeing the impact this pantry had on the local community encouraged Revd Sue and a group of others to explore how something similar could support people in Ashton. Their aim was to create a place where everyone could access affordable, nutritious food without fear of judgement or stigma.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, their plans developed quickly. Throughout the subsequent lockdowns, the team served food from outside the vicarage to support those who were struggling most. Over time, Sue’s hallway even became a temporary storeroom, making it clear Ashton needed a local pantry with a permanent building.
Working with Church Wigan’s Justice Team – Lifted, Together Liverpool and Feeding Britain, Ashton Pantry opened in 2021, and was one of the first pantries within Church Wigan, all focused on supporting communities across Wigan. Ashton Pantry is now one of eight pantries across Church Wigan.
Sue and the team then worked with the church’s architect Bill to develop plans to extend and improve the church hall so the pantry could grow to welcome more guests and help even more people. Now, after four years of hard work, fundraising and support from the community, those plans have been brought to life. A total of £247,000 has been raised to redevelop the hall. The community itself contributed an incredible £101,000 through donations. Over £110,000 came from grants, with a further £4,000 raised through fundraising initiatives. The pantry has also secured funding for solar panels, keeping net zero and long-term sustainability at the forefront of its work – making the pantry sustainable for years to come and aiming to support future generations when they need it most.
Many people, charities and companies contributed to making this project possible including the Lifted Team, Wigan Council, local schools, and businesses such as Costco, FareShare, KFC, Lidl, Tesco, Aldi and Bents who donate surplus food.
Revd Sue Thomas, Self-Supporting Ordained Minister said:
“We’ve been so grateful for all the encouragement we have had. The encouragement we got from each donation, whether it was loose change, a donation in memory of a loved one, or the matched donations from our Crowdfunder, meant so much. This project simply couldn’t exist without you.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“The sense of belonging and support that the team at Ashton Pantry provide people at a time when they need it most is what makes it so special. This is a place where kindness and community come together, and I’m proud to see how it’s grown from a simple idea into a vital resource for so many.
“The people here have shown what can be achieved when we work together, and this new kitchen and café will only make that even stronger.”
The difference the pantry makes is reflected in the experiences of those who use it. One member shared: “The pantry has helped me in loads of ways. They helped me get out of the house and socialise in a safe space because I’ve got anxiety issues. I couldn’t have survived without the pantry. They’re generous with what they give and it’s all good quality, enough to make proper meals. There have been times when I had nothing, and the pantry has saved the day. The debt centre manager also helped me get my Debt Relief Order, which took a massive anxiety away from me.”
Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool, said:
“This fantastic new development of the Ashton Pantry illustrates the incredible generosity of local people to respond to the needs of those around them, and also demonstrates their concern for a sustainable future for all. What an achievement!” Ashton Pantry is now fully open to the community. The pantry opens from 11am to 12pm on Tuesdays, 2pm to 3pm on Thursdays and 3pm to 4pm on Sundays, with refreshments served half an hour before each session. The café is open from 12pm to 1pm. In 2026, the kitchen will open up to the community in another way to also provide cooking lessons.
