Disused nightclub is transformed into food bank and advice centre
A former nightclub in Llandrindod Wells is enjoying a new lease of life as a food bank and advice centre.
Powys County Council has awarded £146,000 towards the cost of the second phase of the building work to refurbish the Oasis site behind the Commodore Hotel, on Spa Road, which has previously been known as The Venue and V Nightclub and Bar.
The funding was provided in the form of a Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, through its Transforming Towns Programme, and has been used to help create office space for use by the food bank and partners as well as a reception area for meeting and socialising.
It also include an advice centre with private meeting rooms and a kitchen for preparing hot meals and snacks, and for running cookery course.
It has complemented previous work on site, which was also supported by the council through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme which created a food storage and distribution area, toilets and shower facilities for people who are sleeping rough and a laundry for washing clothes and bedding.
The National Lottery Community Fund, The Trussell Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and Benefact Trust have also supplied grants to the food bank.
Llandrindod Foodbank covers a large area of central Powys and as well as giving out food parcels from its Spa Road home has satellite sites at Builth Wells (Community Support office) and Llanwrtyd Wells (Institute).
It moved to the Oasis building in December 2021, after it was bought for the charity by two local benefactors who want to remain anonymous.
Llandrindod Foodbank distributed 1,151 food parcels between 1 April and 30 September this year, including 379 to help feed children aged 16 or under. The total number of food parcels was 153 more than the same period last year.
“Together with our partner agencies, we serve an area of 500 square miles in total, and this facility is available to anyone that needs it,” said Tessa Bradley, Llandrindod Foodbank and Advice Centre Project Manager.
“By providing access to advice on money issues, budgeting, benefits, jobs and housing etc., we anticipate a greater number of people being able to return to contributing to the economic growth of the town and surrounding areas.
“Also, we hope to see a decrease in the number of people needing to use the food bank over time.”
The Transforming Towns programme in Mid Wales is supported by Powys and Ceredigion County Councils’ Economic Development and Regeneration Teams.
J.A. Morgan Construction, Llandrindod Wells, carried out both phases of the building work for Llandrindod Foodbank.
