Alnwick Community Larder was set up in April 2020 as a direct response to the coronavirus crisis. It operates on the principle of 'take what you need, leave what you can' and distributes food in accordance with the concept of mutual aid, without judgement on anyone's personal circumstances and in a way that avoids stigma as far as possible.

In March 2021, we were advised by BT that they were considering removing the phone kiosk from which the larder operates. They had previously given permission for us to use the kiosk. Around the same time, mutual aid groups in Elswick, Arthurs Hill and Hartlepool experienced the same thing (http://chng.it/j8998WGfbq

BT operate an 'Adopt a Kiosk' scheme, from which mutual aid groups are excluded. The cost for town councils, parish councils and registered charities to adopt a kiosk is £1. Normally, the scheme applies only to traditional red phone boxes. We would like an exception to be made in this case given the lifeline this provides to the local community.

We would like to request that Alnwick Town Council sign the paperwork and formally adopt the kiosk in order to allow us to continue operating as normal. BT have stated that the removal of the kiosk is scheduled very soon, which is why we would appreciate fast and decisive action.