Thorney food bank criticises Peterborough City Council over sell-off plan

A food bank has criticised a lack of communication from a council over plans to sell off its headquarters.

Peterborough City Council officers have recommended the sale of Thorney Community Centre and Library.

Thorney, Eye and Surrounding Area Food Bank, which operates from the centre, said it had found out about the proposals via social media.

The council said it understood concerns but that its proposals would lead to better facilities for some groups.

Officers are recommending the sale of the site, subject to agreeing terms for the relocation of the food bank and the library, in a bid to help plug a £14m budget deficit.

Erin Tierney, 35, who founded the food bank in 2020, said: "I only heard through social media about Peterborough City Council wanting to sell the building. I was not told personally.

"It is extremely unfortunate. It's incredibly sad and I think they are making a big mistake because they are losing two very well-used community facilities, as the library next door is all part of the main building, and it could disappear, too.

"We have got about 2,600 people on our books. We provide the raw ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner for seven days a week.

"We are only open on Saturdays due to family and work commitments. I can understand the council, they need to generate cash, due to their shortfall, but we are providing a service that they do not."

Ms Tierney said the council had mentioned the possibility of finding another venue for the food bank, but added: "There has not been a definitive answer, so we could we could end up homeless.

"We have a library attached to this building as a separate unit. That is under threat as well; it is a warm space and many elderly people do not have the internet or a computer at home, so it a lifeline that could be lost."

Richard Housell, 80, a volunteer at the food bank, said: "Most people think Thorney is a nice, quiet, affluent village. But if you lift the lid you see some of the difficulties people are experiencing.

"These are the type of people that we're helping; victims of domestic violence. People think it does not exist in Thorney, but it does."

The council has been encouraged to identify assets it could sell off to help plug its funding gap.

Potential buyers have already been identified, and the cabinet has been asked to approve the disposal of the site at a meeting on Monday.

John Howard, of Peterborough First, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate governance and finance, said: "We fully understand some of the concerns that have been raised, but what we are proposing will lead to better facilities for some community groups.

"We had really helpful conversations with groups and residents and work to find solutions that are suitable for them, as well as meeting the council's ongoing needs."

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