Mansfield soup kitchen given two weeks to find a new venue or quit

A soup kitchen which has become a lifeline for homeless people in Mansfield Market place has been told it must close in two weeks if it does not find an indoor venue.
Volunteers serving food at Mansfield Soup Kitchen which has been given two weeks notice to quit.Volunteers serving food at Mansfield Soup Kitchen which has been given two weeks notice to quit.
Volunteers serving food at Mansfield Soup Kitchen which has been given two weeks notice to quit.

Volunteers at the soup kitchen which runs on Mansfield Market on a Wednesday evening were devastated after it was given two weeks notice to close on Wednesday evening.

Nottinghamshire County councillor for Mansfield East Colleen Harwood, said:”I am very concerned the soup kitchen has have been served a two week notice to quit, from Councillor Barry Answer, they say that it is not needed in the area, and should end in two weeks.

“But there is a real need for the soup kitchen, and the service users that need it agree.

“The soup kitchen volunteers are devastated there was no explanation or discussion over why it couldn’t continue .

“As a county councillor I have arranged for Mansfield councillors to donate tents and things in the past . I don’t see how it affects the other soup kitchens at the Beacon centre and The Hall.

“It is certainly not in competition, it just provides a meal at a different time of the week. If they are going to close it down they should give them alternative premises to continue their work in this area .

“We have such a high amount of homeless in the area.”

The group was only founded in November last year and now feeds around 40 people every week on the market stalls in Mansfield town centre and relies on donations of food and money to keep it going.

In a statement , Councillor Barry Answer, Mansfield District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing said:

“Mansfield District Council values the help and support of all homeless charities and organisations across the district.

“On this occasion we have asked Mansfield Soup Kitchen to find an indoor venue for their operation on a Wednesday and Thursday evening to ensure that their customers and volunteers can have a welcoming and safe environment all year round.

“The Homeless Network is helping to identify a new venue for the Soup Kitchen, however if anyone is interested in hosting Mansfield Soup Kitchen please get in touch with them on [email protected].”