Loaves and Fishes were given a boost this week when the council confirmed it will replace the storm-damaged roof of their new premises – meaning their move will happen sooner than expected.
The East Kilbride food bank was expecting to be hit with a “significant delay” to their much-anticipated move to Greenhills Community Hall after hurricane-force gales blew the roof off the facility during Storm Eowyn.
But the local authority, who are still assessing the extent of the damage, have informed the charity that the council will be picking up the bill for the repair.
The long-established charity, which fights poverty by providing free food and other support for people living on the breadline, had not yet signed the lease for the building.
And, the works, the charity’s chair said, are expected to happen in a matter of weeks.
Loaves and Fishes chairperson Lesley Davidson said: “It’s been a tricky few weeks in which I genuinely didn’t know how this was going to work out. It was definitely bad luck that the storm hit the community centre so badly.
“However, I’m delighted to say that the council have agreed to replace the community centre roof. They anticipate the job being completed promptly in around two weeks. This is obviously amazing news!
“The council has been helpful and supportive through this whole process so we are excited to move things along. While we still have no definite date for occupation, everything is suddenly looking so much brighter.”
Loaves and Fishes were successful in rescuing the under-threat venue through South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Lite process.
Greenhills Hall sits in the heart of the most deprived area of the town and the charity’s aim is to better serve those in need who struggle to access the food bank at its current base in the Kelvin Industrial Estate.
It is proposed that Loaves and Fishes will move into Greenhills Hall and Library to cater to increasing demand, deliver a wider range of services and to move into the area of most need in East Kilbride, allowing easier access for the local and wider community. Their current base at Singer Road will close.
Operating since 1992, the anti-poverty charity has a strong committee and volunteer base and the organisation has linked up with local charity Waist Not Want Not to help those most in need, through a sub-lease of the library premises.
The delay caused by the storm has had a direct impact on other community groups who were looking to use the facility such as community charity shop Waist Not Want Not and the local food bank who operate on a Monday night.
Craig Jardine, head of property services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The roof has been inspected and we are awaiting costs and timelines for repair work.”
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