Tesco : reveals its community contribution to Greater Manchester

1 Jun 2018

In an event on Friday 1 June at St Thomas Centre, Tesco has revealed how, in partnership with colleagues, suppliers and community organisations, it contributes to Greater Manchester.

In an event on Friday 1 June at St Thomas Centre, Tesco has revealed how, in partnership with colleagues, suppliers and community organisations, it contributes to Greater Manchester.

Co-hosted by Tesco CEO Dave Lewis and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, the event discussed the findings of a new report, prepared independently by KPMG. Part of a wider programme of activity called Value in Your Town, the report sets out the role Tesco plays in serving communities up and down the UK.

Specifically, the report highlights Tesco's role in supporting jobs, supporting British businesses through its partnership with thousands of suppliers, and supporting charitable and community organisations in villages, towns and cities across the UK.

The event also featured a panel discussion on how businesses can work closer together with local communities.

Lindsay Boswell, CEO at UK food redistribution charity FareShare, attended the event to highlight some of the key successes from working alongside Tesco to deliver Community Food Connection. The scheme, which launched in 2016, aims to reduce food waste by redirecting unsold food towards charities and community groups who help feed people in need. Around 240 groups use the scheme across Greater Manchester which saw just over 470,000 meals generated in 2016/17.

Bags of Help has also had notable success during 2016/17 with nearly £960,000 donated to groups across Greater Manchester. Working alongside Tesco to deliver the programme is Groundwork, a community charity which specialises in transforming communities and local environments. They were also at the event to showcase the impact that has been made since the scheme launched in 2016 and Tesco pledged to put the cash made from the bag levy back into local communities across the UK.

Dave Lewis, Tesco Group CEO said:
'Tesco is a business built on serving Britain's shoppers a little better every day - a network of shops, each one playing an important and distinctive role in the communities they serve.
'We wanted to find out the contribution we make to each of these communities.
'So we commissioned independent research which provides an unprecedented level of information on our role in towns and cities like Greater Manchester, from the 28,000 jobs we support in the area, the taxes we pay, the 300 suppliers we partner with in the region, and the community groups we support.
'We hope that by understanding and sharing this information we can play an integral part in the growth of the communities we serve across the UK.'

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
'This research is really encouraging as it demonstrates that businesses large and small have an important part to play in the success of not just the economy, but the communities in which they are based. Tesco makes a significant economic contribution to the nation, but also makes a big impact at a local level through direct employment, jobs for local suppliers, and supporting community initiatives.
'One of society's greatest challenges right now is homelessness and rough sleeping. I made eradicating the need for rough sleeping in Greater Manchester one of the main priorities for my mayoral term of office. Therefore I strongly welcome Tesco's continued support in helping to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness through their Bags of Help scheme.
'The power of business, public bodies, charities, faith groups and individual citizens all coming together cannot be overstated, and with Tesco joining us on this journey I am convinced it will make a big difference.'

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Greater Manchester key findings from the report:

• Tesco contributed £1,340,972,789 to the Greater Manchester economy in 2016/17.
• Tesco supported 28,902 jobs across the region.
• Out of every £1 spent at Tesco, 73p went back to UK farmers and suppliers, 11p was paid to Tesco colleagues in wages and 3p paid to the Government.
• Every £1 spent at Tesco also created an extra £5.46 in value to the UK economy as a whole.
• The KPMG Value in Your Town report can be accessed here: www.tescoplc.com/valueinyourtown
• The Value in Your Town online tool can be accessed here: www.tescoplc.com

Bags of Help in Greater Manchester:

• Tesco's Bags of Help programme supports communities across the country by funding local projects which are voted on by the retailer's customers. In Greater Manchester, a round of Bags of Help funding later this year will include support for organisations tackling rough sleeping and homelessness.