Telford Food Share Project under 'threat of closure within days'

Operational manager Kay Corbett is informing people about the food bank closure

A community-run food bank says it is under threat of closure if it cannot find new premises by the weekend.

Telford's Food Share Project has to vacate its current site on Rampart Way as the landlord is selling.

Director Lea Beven said the scheme - which also offers a discount shop - supported thousands of local families.

She called on Telford and Wrekin Council to provide alternative accommodation, warning other services would become overrun.

The project processes about 100 tonnes of excess supermarket food each month, with the scheme's discount shop supporting the food bank.

It also has hubs in Andover, Hampshire, and Warrington, Cheshire.

'32,000 people'

"We have got to shut here on Saturday in order to clear everything down," Ms Beven said.

"If we can't move food it will all be sold, and anything we can store will go to Andover.

"We've been told by the council to refer our clients to other crisis food banks in the area, but if they can handle an extra 32,000 people then that will be a bit of a shock."

She said the scheme processed about 300 pallets of fresh, frozen and chilled food every month.

She added she had approached the council to help the project temporarily take over the former Co-Op premises at Dawley, owned by the authority and recently vacant.

Telford & Wrekin Council acknowledged it had been approached by the project, "along with a number of other businesses" that had registered an interest in the building.

A spokesperson said: "We're already in discussions with a number of food retailers who have shown an interest and as they'd be replacing the main food shop in the high street, it's important that the offer is the right one for local residents and other businesses.

"The project [does] a fantastic job for Telford and Wrekin. There's also a food bank at Dawley Christian Centre, as well as Telford Crisis Support, the Interfaith Council and a number of other not-for-profit organisations for anyone who needs support."