A disused nightclub transformed into a food bank and advice center

Powys County Council has awarded £146,000 towards the cost of the second phase of construction work to renovate the Oasis site behind the Commodore Hotel, on Spa Road, previously known as The Venue and V Nightclub and Bar.

The funding was provided in the form of a Welsh Government Place Creation Grant, as part of its Transforming Towns programme, and was used to help create office space for use by the food bank and its partners, as well as a reception area for meetings and meetings.

It also includes a counseling center with private meeting rooms and a kitchen for preparing hot meals and snacks and for hosting cooking classes.

It complements previous work on the site, which was also supported by the council as part of the Welsh Government’s Transformation of Cities programme, which created a food storage and distribution area, toilets and showers for rough sleepers and a laundry room for washing clothes and bedding.

The National Lottery Community Fund, the Trussell Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Benefact Trust also provided grants to the food bank.

Llandrindod Foodbank covers a large area of ​​central Powys and, as well as distributing food parcels from its home in Spa Road, it has satellite sites in Builth Wells (community support office) and Llanwrtyd Wells (institute) .

It moved to the Oasis building in December 2021, after being purchased for the benefit of the charity by two local benefactors who wish to remain anonymous.

Llandrindod Foodbank distributed 1,151 food parcels between April 1 and September 30 this year, including 379 to help feed children aged 16 and under. The total number of food parcels was 153 more than the same period last year.

“Together with our partner agencies, we serve a total area of ​​500 square miles, and this facility is accessible to anyone who needs it,” said Tessa Bradley, project manager of the Food Bank and Counseling Center of Llandrindod.

“By providing access to advice on financial matters, budgeting, benefits, employment and housing, etc., we anticipate that more people will once again be able to contribute to the city’s economic growth and its surroundings.

“We also hope to see a reduction in the number of people using the food bank over time. »

The Transforming Towns program in Mid Wales is supported by the economic development and regeneration teams at Powys and Ceredigion County Councils.

JA Morgan Construction, Llandrindod Wells, carried out both phases of the Llandrindod Foodbank construction works.