A DARLINGTON food bank has closed its doors after being evicted from its premises due to non-payment of rent.

NQA, which runs a food bank in Northgate, was evicted last Sunday, March 27 following finance problems.

Food bank users were turned away last week following the closure.

The community interest company (CIC), which started in November 2020, has blamed Darlington Borough Council for the closure – claiming it is owed rent from the authority’s Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), which has been based in the building since last July.

However, that was denied by the authority.

The Northern Echo:

Stephen Morgan, who runs the food bank, said he was “devastated” by the closure.  

Relations between NQA and the YEI started breaking down last year, and the employment initiative has plans to move to alternative premises in Northgate.

The YEI rents space in the basement of the building and is now paying rent directly to the landlord, who told the Northern Echo five months’ worth of rent - £7,500 – was owed by NQA.  

The Northern Echo understand the YEI had an agreement with NQA – part of which involves NQA providing quarterly match funding towards the YEI programme.

However, two invoices had not been paid by late 2021 - with a third due, which resulted in no further funds being paid to NQA.

The Northern Echo understands the last rent invoice was paid directly to NQA on September 24 for the period October to December 2021.

A council source said it was now paying the landlord directly.

NQA admitted its landlord had "run out of patience" as arrears built up. 

NQA secretary Anne-Louise Bailey said: “The council hasn’t been helpful. The landlord hasn’t been helpful.

“We’re at our wits end and we’re fed up.”

She added: “We want to continue. I’ve put a lot of time and effort into it – so has everyone. We don’t want to stop.

“We don’t  know right now what we can do to move forward.”

The Northern Echo:

Landlord Randa Properties said NQA had five-months’ worth of arrears, amounting to about £7,500.

Owner Rami Aldilaimi said he had offered NQA eight months of free rent but had not been paid any money since a £3,000 deposit was paid at the start of the tenancy.

He said: “When they took it on they asked for four months free rent. We gave them eight months because we thought they were doing something good for the community.

“It was after eight months that the problems started.”

He added: “We are just trying to run a business.”

Councillor Jon Clarke, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The council’s successful youth employment service is looking to move into new, more accessible premises shortly. In the meantime, it will continue to be based at Pathfinder House.

“To be clear, the matter between NQA and the landlord of Pathfinder House is a private matter between the two parties. Pathfinder House is not a council building.”

In Darlington, food banks are available at King’s Church, Darlington Baptist Church, Firthmoor Community Centre.

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