Food bank will fight 'tooth and nail' to save venue

Erin Tierney who set up the food bank said she will fight to keep the building

A community food bank serving more than 1500 people says it will fight "tooth and nail" to keep its premises.

The future of the community centre in Peterborough, home to the Thorney, Eye and Surrounding Food Hub and the Thorney library, is "in danger".

The venue is on the Peterborough City Council's (PCC's) list of 79 buildings potentially at risk of being sold to balance its budget deficit.

But the council previously said the list was "being reviewed".

The Thorney food bank serves more than 1500 people in the community

Erin Tierney set up the Thorney, Eye and Surrounding Food Hub in 2019.

It provides parcels to 40 families each week and has been called a "breath of hope".

Organisers said they were "angry" at the council's lack of transparency and were "worried" about losing the premises.

"This is massive concern for us. We need to have a secure building for food hygiene and safety. We need space for our big tables where we pack our parcels, store our multiple fridges ad freezers- that's the demand we are catering to," Ms Tierney said.

"The library is an absolute lifeline and losing this building will be a huge loss.

"I also want to say how angry we are at the way council has done this. No consultation and we found out about it in the papers."

Bedford Hall in Thorney has been offered as an alternative venue for the food bank and library

Bedford Hall on Station Road is being suggested as an alternative location for the food bank and library.

But Ms Tierney says "it might not work".

"We will fight until the end to keep running from this building. I don't know if Bedford Hall has all the facilites we need.

"Christmas is such a busy time for us, but we are very stressed and have got this hanging over our heads. It's worrying."

At a recent public meeting, Peterborough city council said the list was "not a done deal".

Conservative councillor Steve Allen who represents the Eye, Thorney, Newborough ward, helped prepare the list.

"It's under review by council officers. I am aware that consultations are in process with stakeholders throughout the city council area," he said.

Councillor John Howard, deputy leader at Peterborough City Council said: "Decisions will be made with input from our communities and not in isolation.

"Council officers are meeting with representatives from the group shortly to discuss options. Feedback from this and other meetings will be taken into account as part of our review."