Rochdale Foodbank moves to new site on Newgate

Date published: 12 October 2022

The Rochdale Foodbank has moved premises from South Parade to Newgate with an official opening on Friday (7 October).

The foodbank has moved to the former Community Training Centre at 16 Newgate, with its warehouse just a few doors down (the first door next to the Exchange Shopping Centre lift). The venue has been fully refurbished by local contractors H Bell and Sons.

Mayor Ali Ahmed, Consort Sultan Ali, deputy leader Daalat Ali, MP Sir Tony Lloyd, trustees and volunteers, the King’s representative deputy Lord Lieutenant Ian Sandiford, plus the foodbank’s founders, Iain and Margaret Wight.

Rochdale Foodbank was launched at St Mary in the Baum in 2012, and operates on a voucher system, provided by over 130 agencies in Rochdale who have identified people in crisis, who may struggle to buy food.

The voucher is honoured like a cheque, in exchange for three-days’ worth of goods.

The foodbank is open every day for users between 11am and 12.30pm, with a Saturday centre at the Branches Fellowship in Smithy Bridge.

Chair of trustees Steve Field opened the gathering with a warm welcome - and thanked the volunteers - before the Mayor presented a certificate of achievement to the volunteers. 

Mr Field said: "Today we recognise the work done over the 10 years and the supporters who give to the food bank.

"We can be very proud of all we have achieved."

The Mayor said: "It is nice to hear the amount of good work the food bank is doing. In recognition of their hard work, I would like to give this certificate to the food bank.

"We are one of the richest countries in the world but people still need support. It is very hard to take in that without the food bank, people would be on the streets."

Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd said: "This is a much more fit and appropriate venue for people to come to with dignity. 

"Human goodness has allowed this to develop, although it is deplorable that we need food banks in a society where the rich do too well and many find life impossible. In some ways, it's needed more in October 2022 than when it was started in 2012. I celebrate the human spirit working together and against the conditions that make food banks necessary."

A debt-advice service 'mothballed' by Covid has been given new roots, thanks to at least two years' funding from Citizens Advice to provide a wider advisory service on a face-to-face basis.

Trussell Trust area manager Joanna Hill added that she was "excited" about the new space to provide an advice service, saying that it "provided a need. a way to support people out of poverty and end their need for a food bank."

A donation for £250 was also made on the day from the Rochdale Freemasons, with a cheque presented from Doug Smith and John Taylor.

The foodbank currently needs donations of pasta sauce, tinned potatoes and fruit, plus UHT milk and coffee. Donations can be made at the donation centre on Newgate, Rochdale Town Centre, OL16 1XB on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9.30am and 12.30pm.