STROUDCO Food Hub has relocated its operation into the town centre in order to be more accessible and encourage more people to shop locally.

Now in its ninth year, Stroudco enables people to order food items from a wide range of local producers.

Helpers at the food hub receive the produce from suppliers and sort everything into individual boxes for collection on Saturdays.

Stroudco’s new home is the Congregational Church in Bedford Street.

Oliver Müller currently manages the operation on behalf of a board of volunteer directors.

He said: “We are extremely pleased with our new home and the church couldn’t have been more supportive.

“We kept getting feedback that we weren’t very accessible at our previous location and that it was too awkward to get to.

“Here at the Congregational Church it’s all level and loading can be done very easily; it’s only a few yards from car to door.

“Suppliers can deliver more quickly, customers can collect more easily and it’s also now very suitable for disabled people as well.

“For about a year now we’ve been trying to reach out to the less able-bodied who may find it otherwise difficult to shop for fresh, local produce. Our move was the most important step in this regard.”

Stroudco Director Nick Weir is also optimistic: “Our members are already feeding back to us how much they prefer the new location.

“This shows us that we have taken the right decision. We really look forward to welcoming new members and to developing our relationship with Stroud Congregational Church.”

Stroudco’s not-for-profit webshop can be accessed at stroudco.org.uk.