Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Newbury Soup Kitchen converts office space into kitchen




Newbury Soup Kitchen is expanding its cooking facilities.

It has been given approval to convert offices in Pound Court, Pound Street, into a catering unit, subject to noise from an extractor fan being reduced.

It has now submitted a way to keep the noise down to West Berkshire Council planners.

Newbury Soup Kitchen founder Meryl Praill accepting the award for charity of the year at the 2023 Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards
Newbury Soup Kitchen founder Meryl Praill accepting the award for charity of the year at the 2023 Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards

The soup kitchen wants to produce food for homeless and vulnerable people from the location.

It also wants to use the address for storage, ancillary offices and outreach use.

Newbury Soup Kitchen said it was “extremely excited at the prospect of moving the operational side of the charity to a more central location”.

Meryl Praill, CEO and founder, added: “We have been looking for suitable premises for over six years and are delighted to have been granted planning permission to convert Pound Court.

“This new space will give us the opportunity to provide more support and essential outreach. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide not just healthy food but also a gateway to compassion and understanding.

“We believe that a warm meal can open doors to conversations, build trust and encourage engagement with individuals who feel isolated and abandoned by society; support that wraps around those in need in the Newbury and West Berkshire areas.

“Our approach is holistic, addressing not only the physical hunger but also the emotional and social needs of each person we encounter.

“We want to say a huge thank you to Pro Vision, IBC Architects, 24 Acoustics, Moore Barlow Solicitors and Carlton Services who have helped us throughout the planning process on a pro bono basis.

“We are also grateful for the support of Greenham Trust in helping us move the charity forward.

“We would also like to thank SWIFT Logistics who have allowed us to occupy our unit in Hambridge Lane for the last three and a half years. Without them we would not be where we are today. We are sad to be leaving but the time has come to provide more outreach and face to face support as the need grows.

“Whilst the operational side of the charity will be moving, we will still use our vans and the Salvation Army Hall for our food sessions.

“This community has a wonderful spirit, and we are extremely grateful for the support we have been shown."

Newbury Soup Kitchen is a voluntary organisation providing help and support to homeless people, the rough sleeper community, the vulnerable and those generally less fortunate than others.

It started as a friendly drop-in centre each and every Thursday where vulnerable adults with mental health issues or were just lonely could drop in.

It has now expanded services to three evenings per week – Wednesdays and Saturdays at The Wharf and Thursdays at the Salvation Army.



Comments | 0
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More