Glasgow shop selling single nappies, as people can’t afford full packets

The community ‘cabin’ shop in Cranhill, which stocks different sized nappies from 5p to 15p, also offers food in small quantities including loose flour or pasta.

People come in and buy single batteries and one toilet roll as the cost of living crisis continues to leave families struggling to make ends meet.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Poverty in Glasgow is an injustice that we can solve together.

“But right now, people in poverty need urgent support. The Cranhill Community Shop is a great example of how people can create their own solutions to tackle the effect of poverty in their communities.

“That kind of compassion and concern for our friends and neighbours is what we need to build on.”

Banking services offered at the shop’s post office are well used as the North East neighbourhood is seen as a “desert” lacking facilities.

The shop is operated by the charitable organisation – the Cranhill Development Trust – as part of a community hub.

Mum-of-three Faten Hameed, who is a Conservative candidate standing in the local election, said: “The Cranhill Community Trust is a great project but I am saddened by the fact people are buying 20p worth of sugar and a single nappy. A baby may have to wear the same nappy all day. That is all people can afford.”

The Conservative East Centre candidate added: “People are withdrawing £1 of money from the banking service at the shop’s post office. This is not the Glasgow I know. We need more resources to help people and lift them out of poverty and keep this vital project going to help the community.”

Meal in a bag packs are available at the shop with precisely weighed out ingredients, including flour, to help people prepare food.

Alcohol and cigarettes are not sold in the shop.

Former homelessness worker Ms Hameed said if she gets elected she will work to further support the Cranhill Development Trust and its shop. She said: “I have done community work for over 30 years. If I’m selected I will support the community. I want to help establish residents associations. Following my husband’s death I brought up three children as a single mother while working a full time job. I know the struggles many Glaswegian families are facing as I had it too.”

Mr Kelly added: “ Our manifesto for this week’s local elections calls on our new councillors to provide long-term investment in community organisations like the Cranhill Development Trust, along with lots of other other ideas that will help people get adequate incomes to support themselves and their families.”

A worker at the Cranhill Development Trust was approached for comment.

All the election candidates standing in the East Centre Ward:

Declan Blench, Scottish National Party

Annette Christie, Scottish National Party

Matt Dobson, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Faten Hameed, Conservative and Unionist Party

Ann Jenkins, Labour Party

Ruth Lindsay, Liberal Democrats

William McLachlan, independent

Tony Osy, Alba Party

Kilian Riley, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Hannah Smith, Scottish Green Party

Kieran J Turner, Labour Party