Food Allergy & Intolerances
New community hub in Burnley Town Centre
The Down Town community hub has come to Burnley town centre, opening its doors in May 2023. Based on the Burnley market balcony, above New Look in Charter Walk Shopping Centre, Down Town is an amazing place where people can go and receive a range of care and support.
Down Town is run by Burnley Together; a strategic partnership of local charities and businesses, which was initially created in response to the pandemic, but now operates to support people and families affected by the cost of living and other issues.
The hub offers a unique approach by offering wrap around care to the community. It is made up of the following:
The Community Grocery
Inside the large, spacious area is the Community Grocery; where you can select fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery items, fridge freezer, and shelf items – everything you would need for your weekly shop.
As well as providing affordable produce, the grocery aims to provide opportunities for everyone to feel connected to their community and reduce isolation.
The grocery is run in partnership by The Message Trust and Life Church Lancashire.
To sign up to be a member at one of the Community Groceries, all you need to do is visit your nearest store and let one of the team know it’s your first time. They will then get you a form to fill in and explain all about how the groceries work.
There is an initial £5 annual membership fee. Once you’re a member, you can go along to the Community Grocery multiple times a week and fill up your basket.
There is also a Pay it Forward board whereby you can pay for someone else’s groceries.
Re-Love The Pre-Loved Uniform Shop
Also in this wide-ranging interior is the uniform shop, where uniforms have been donated. Each child can have up to two full uniforms and all they ask for is a monetary donation, if you can.
If you have any spare uniforms in good condition, you are welcome to donate them here.
The Book Exchange
Within the seating area of Down Town, there is a growing book exchange. It’s a safe and comfortable space where you can relax, sit, and read at your leisure or take away a book to read.
Down Town Cookery School
Burnley Leisure and Culture offer cooking lessons, giving people the knowledge and skills to make things themselves and reduce food waste where possible.They will come away knowing how to create healthy and delicious soups, bread, and there will be cake making lessons too!
There will be full day courses available to book onto. The facility will also host the ‘first ever Young MasterChef Cookery School’, funded by the holiday activities and food programme and open to children who receive free school meals.
Down Town Kitchen & Cafe
The Down Town Kitchen & Café is run by Burnley Leisure and Culture.
They serve hot and cold beverages, and have a variety of food available on their menu. There is a high-quality service with reasonable prices for tasty food which is volunteer-led and not-for-profit. The money made here will be used to help pay for staff who will be running the cookery school.
Again, there’s an ethos of paying it forward where you can pay for a meal of someone in need.
View the Down Town Kitchen & Café menu.
Wrap Around Support
As well as popping in to do a weekly shop or for to visit the café, people can visit Down Town to receive support and advice on issues such as finances or health and wellbeing. The support is provided by Burnley Together and is available through self-referral.
Burnley Together provide free information and there are friendly staff providing support and guidance to communities across Burnley and Padiham. Burnley Together can help you access support and save money.
While you can shop for less, members are also invited to attend a range of courses and one-to-one support sessions offered by the partner church (also available to non-members).
Location & Opening Times
Community Grocery: 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday
Uniform Shop and Café: 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday
Location: 83 Market House, Charter Walk Shopping Centre, Burnley
