Alnwick community larder reopens in phone kiosk after CCTV coverage improved

A community larder is back up and running in an Alnwick phone box.
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The larder, on Bondgate Within, was closed last month due to vandalism when fruit was thrown through the window of the nearby Galley Café.

However, Mutual Aid Alnwick has been able to restock its shelves following further discussions.

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Katie Roskams, of Mutual Aid Alnwick, said: “I spoke to the council and we both consulted with the owner of the Galley Café.

Katie Roskams of Mutual Aid Alnwick.Katie Roskams of Mutual Aid Alnwick.
Katie Roskams of Mutual Aid Alnwick.

"He was extremely helpful and understanding under the circumstances and was happy for us to reopen given that the CCTV has been repositioned and the area is being monitored on a more regular basis.

"It’s a good example of the community working together and coming up with a solution that works for everyone. I'd like to thank the Galley Café in particular for their understanding and for their support.”

The larder was set up in the first wave of Covid-19 last April as a means of supporting people in need of food in a way that ensured they wouldn’t feel ashamed or judged.

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It relies on trust and goodwill and is run according to the simple principle of ‘take what you need, leave what you can’.

The restocked shelves of the Alnwick community larder.The restocked shelves of the Alnwick community larder.
The restocked shelves of the Alnwick community larder.

Katie added: “One way you could help is by joining our rota - it would be good to have people keeping an eye on the larder in the evenings too.

"I'm going to make a couple of signs reminding people of the CCTV, and am working with the council on getting some more professional-looking signs made.”

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