Food bank faces 'big problem' of losing its base

A food bank faces the "big, big problem" of losing its permanent base, its co-director has warned.

Armin Lange said despite an urgent appeal in September, a viable relocation plan for the Colchester Foodbank was still not in place.

The charity said it was "very grateful" to have been given its current base at the Tollgate Centre, on the outskirts of the city, three years ago - but the landlord is now due to redevelop the site.

Speaking to BBC Essex, Mr Lange said December was the second-busiest month in the food bank's history.

The number of people using the food bank rose from about 7,000 in 2020 to 24,500 last year.

It runs 10 smaller sites across Colchester, but relies on the Tollgate warehouse to store donations and deliveries.

"We are trying to keep the services in place, which is critical for us because we are serving many, many people," Mr Lange said.

"We've tried all the possibilities and gone through all the scenarios... We can't afford to go into the town because the town has no parking."

Mr Lange, who is the food bank's co-director alongside Nikki Ranson, said the service needed about 7,000 sq ft (650 sq m) of space.

The pair have contacted Colchester City Council, the NHS, the Army and the University of Essex as they seek a new home.

"It doesn't help that you have this big, big problem over your head when you're trying to do a proper job for the community," Mr Lange said.

Speaking to the BBC in September, Ms Ranson added: "It's scary that we've got the pressure that if we do not find a building... we risk [losing] the food bank."

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