TILBURY will soon have a new community run pantry and café after planning permission was granted to transform an underused building in Civic Square into a community shop, cafe and hub for local people.

Following investment from the Tilbury Towns Fund, the building, and its extension into the existing Tilbury Library, will be transformed into a multi-use site supporting the local community.

It follows on from the success of the Purfleet Pantry and Cafe, launched two years ago.

This volunteer run pantry shop and café helps residents gain better access to food and essential items with a scheme that significantly lowers the cost of their grocery shop, providing a sustainable option to budgeting with the cost of living.

Like its Purfleet counterpart, the Tilbury Pantry will run a membership-based shopping scheme that allows residents to purchase a weekly top-up shop at significantly reduced prices.

Cllr George Monk, cabinet member for Deregulation, Efficiency and Civic Pride, said: "We are delighted that the Council is able to support this local. community led scheme.

"I've been to visit the Purfleet Pantry prior to being elected as a councillor, so I know what a brilliant community project it is. This new pantry will provide much needed assistance to local families and residents in Tilbury who are struggling with the rising cost of living."

Cllr Tom Kelly, cabinet member for Regeneration and Environment, said: "We are committed to looking at all of the council's assets and ensuring we are using them in the most efficient way to support our residents and the wider community, and this is a great example of that work in practice."

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As well as the shop, the cafe will provide a meeting space to bring people together. Alongside the library offer, and the range of wider partners working in Tilbury, this will provide support for local residents to learn new skills including cooking and nutrition.

The Tilbury Pantry is scheduled to open in the Autumn.

The application was submitted to the planning pommittee earlier this month by Thurrock Council on behalf of the Tilbury Towns Fund, which is supporting the project.