A north-east food bank providing for the needy has been shut down – amid concerns it was breaching council regulations.
More than 100 people of people have signed a petition to reopen the community-managed Social Cafe in Banff, which was shut after Aberdeenshire Council raised concerns the volunteers were operating an unregistered food business.
But the team behind the venture insist the site is a not-for-profit community project aimed at feeding needy locals through the winter.
In the open letter to the local authority, petition organiser and community councillor Ricky Taylor writes: “Care United Banff is a social enterprise operating from Banff, Aberdeenshire.
“A group of local people came together to support Care United to create a social cafe, run by the community for the community, benefiting a wide range of people in the local area.”
Mr Taylor, an active campaigner in the Banffshire area, said the Social Cafe was a centre for residents to get lunch, food aid or individual support.
He added: “Unfortunately, the Social Cafe was forced to close due to restriction made by Aberdeenshire Council. We, the community, know there is a need for a Social Cafe in Banff and Macduff.”
As of last night, more than 140 people had signed the open letter urging the council to allow the project to reopen.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We are very supportive of local community social enterprises, however we also have to make sure they comply with environmental health and food safety regulations.
“We remain willing to support and help Care United Banff and are happy to discuss this with them.”
Last night Banff councillor and chair of the local area committee John Cox said: “Hopefully people can get around a table and resolve this to the mutual benefit of everyone involved.
Mr Cox said food banks were busy in the run up to Christmas, and added: “If it’s a technicality, then hopefully it can be resolved quickly.”