The Ashford Foodbank has been saved.

The food charity faced an uncertain future after it was given a month’s notice to vacate premises in Cudworth Road, South Willesborough, in April.

Now, thanks to Ashford Borough Council and chartered accountants Taylor Riley, the foodbank will be packing up shop and relocating to new, permanent, premises at 2 Mabledon Avenue, Willesborough, from Saturday, June 1.

Director Mark Reece said: “Our new home is a far better location. It is more secure, so hopefully we will have no break-ins this time, plus the environment is a lot more welcoming.

“We are hoping to be able to offer a far better service to our clients.

“We want to enhance our service and rather than just offering food we will invite clients in for a chat and a cup of tea, offering support and advice.”

The new base was needed after the church in Cudworth Road, where the foodbank was working from, was sold in April.

Mr Reece added: “When we found out we had to move we started begging for a new space.

“We put pressure on Ashford council, although there was a lot of councillors who wanted to help us. They had a meeting and arranged for us to move to Mabledon Avenue.”

The council has agreed to pay the charity’s first six months’ rent.

Mr Reece said: “This has given us some breathing space but we will need to start applying for grants soon and we will be carrying out fundraising.”

The foodbank provides three days’ emergency food for people in a crisis and since it opened in March 2012, it has distributed more than five tonnes of food to people in Ashford.

Mr Reece said: “We thank ABC and Taylor Riley for the great support given to us during this process, and thank all our other supporters for having sought and prayed for a solution to be found.

“Finally, but very importantly, we thank our volunteers and partners for their patience throughout this period.

“The goodwill given by so many toward the foodbank has given us all great encouragement for the future, and we look forward to serving the community of Ashford for many years to come.”