Grangemouth charity get £1 lease for new premises to help with cost of living

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Grangemouth charity that is supporting people through the cost of living crisis will be able to transform two vacant retail units at 21 and 54 Charlotte Dundas Court, Grangemouth for the nominal rent of £1.

Kersiebank Community Project, a registered charity, is currently based in the town's La Porte Precinct, where volunteers run services including a food bank.

However, members of Falkirk Council 's executive heard that having larger premises will allow the charity to expand its services to include a school uniform exchange, a clothing and baby equipment bank and a cookery school along with other activities. Read more: Falkirk community groups promised helped after losing council funding In the new units - formerly a butcher and a Post Office/Spar shop - the group will continue to run the food bank and also open a small community cafe that will include providing local school pupils with meals.The new location is expected to be easier for clients to get to and it is hoped will generate increased footfall in Charlotte Dundas Court.The centre has 19 units but four are currently vacant.Head of Invest Falkirk Paul Kettrick told councillors these have been "very challenging to let" and it was appropriate to use a community benefit lease to allow the charity to take up two empty units as the group cannot afford to pay rent.Work on the property will be funded by a dilapidation payment received by the council from a previous tenant, of £30,000, while Ineos community projects will donate another £30,000 to fit the units out.Members heard that the group has a strong leadership and praised the sound business plan as they supported the move to allow the charity to expand.Councillor Paul Garner said that groups like KCP were "a