Former Driffield auction house will be converted into a community space
a foodbank will move there after plans were approved
Councillors have approved plans to convert a former Driffield auction house into a community space home to a food bank after hearing the number of users could soon double.
East Riding Council’s Eastern Area Planning Sub-Committee unanimously approved plans to convert the former Exchange Saleroom, in Exchange Street, into a community space yesterday (Monday, March 21).
A statement from Driffield and Wolds Food Bank’s Angela Train read to councillors stated 70 families currently used it, with the number totalling 315 in April and May 2020.
But she added the number of users could double given the present climate as the cost of living crisis continues to deepen.
Plans submitted to the council stated the food bank wanted to move to central Driffield because its previous site was only accessible to most people by car.
Documents added that rooms in the converted auction house would serve as a community hub, be available for hire and offer adult learning and other services.
The food bank is open to the public from Monday to Thursday, between 10am and 12.30pm.
One objection was lodged raising concerns over the surrounding area being known as one plagued by antisocial behaviour including drinking and drug-taking.
Mrs Train said in her statement the plans came after the food bank first launched in 2013.
She said: “We rapidly had many families register and volunteers have been running it.
“We were advised we needed to find a new premises and in February 2020 as it did for everyone the pandemic started to bite.
“The number of families using it jumped from 37 before the pandemic to 315 by April and May 2020.
“There’s also going to be an adult education office coming in to do training courses.
“KCOM have said they’re willing to help in this way and we also plan to go and do social responsibility assemblies in local schools.
“Our work includes giving out 500 free school meals to local children during the holidays and we give more than 160 toys out at Christmas.”
Cllr Felicity Temple, ward member for Driffield and Rural, told the committee a huge amount of work had gone into preparing for the food bank’s move.
The councillor said: “I’m grateful to the townspeople working on this, some have spent many hours worrying about it.
“The area’s due for redevelopment very soon and I’m really glad we’ve got this useful town centre location.”
Committee chair Cllr Sue Steel said she thought the volunteers were doing a fantastic job, adding she was happy to back the plans.