3 days ago
Castle Douglas support service puts pressure on the council over expansion plans
Stepping Stones Community Larder and Foodbank has launched a petition as it bids to take over an empty property next to its base.
A Castle Douglas support service is putting pressure on the council to allow it to expand.
Stepping Stones Community Larder and Foodbank wants to take over an empty property next to its base in St Andrew Street.
Last year it was awarded a £30,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for the move, which would allow it to add a variety of other services and take on more volunteers.
But the team have become frustrated at how long the process to dispose of the building, which is part of Castle Douglas Common Good, is taking.
And they have now launched a petition to show support for their plans and force the issue.
Project manager Leanne Urquhart said: 'We were told they were going to make the decision in May but it's been extended and it might not be until September.
'We're starting to panic, although the man we talk to at the lottery is really understanding.
'We started looking at other premises but they don't quite suit what we have just now and what we could have next door.
'We're going to ask if we can start doing the other services in the larder when we're closed.
'It's a terrible space but they could have my office for one to ones.
'If we could get 500 or 1,000 signatures on the petition it has got to speak something.'
The community larder and foodbank started nearly two years ago and caters for more than 100 people a week from across Dumfries and Galloway.
The expansion plans would involve other services such as Citizens Advice, health and energy to be offered from the space.
And with this being Volunteers' Week Mrs Urquhart was keen to highlight the army of helpers she has – and more people can come on board if they can find more space.
She said: 'It's frustrating as we're bursting at the seams. I could free up my office and let the volunteers have it as we've no space.
'We've so many people waiting to volunteer but there's nowhere for them to go.
'We've got a good, steady group of 17 volunteers between people who work in the larder and people who do food collections.
'We also have three or four seasonal volunteers.
'It's an amazing set-up we've got and if we had a wee bit more space it would be even better.
'I feel like I can't move forward until we get a decision.
'It would be phenomenal for the larder having that space – we could be a holistic space rather than just coming in forfood.
'We can't do anything without the volunteers, they're just amazing.'
The building they hope to move into had been the base for the Galloway Glens project but has been empty for more than two years.
A council spokesman previously said their estates team only became aware of the interest from Stepping Stones after 'the process of negotiated sale had commenced with another party', despite having been marketed for rent for some time.
A report for the most recent Castle Douglas common good fund committee meeting stated: 'The offices at 5 St Andrew Street are currently progressing through the process of being declared surplus with a view to being disposed of by negotiated off market sale.
'It is anticipated that a future report be brought back to this sub committee detailing any offer received and to be considered.'
Principal estates and asset management officer Colin Freeman said the process was being followed 'to the letter'.
The council was asked to comment on the latest position with the property.
