Falkirk Council could agree £1 lease for new Braes food pantry
Councillors are being asked to approve a plan to give a new home to a much-needed food pantry in the Braes for a nominal £1 lease.
A report recommending a new home for Martha’s Pantry – the community-run service that offers low-cost food and support in Slamannan – will go before Falkirk Council’s executive on Thursday, December 4.
A former retail unit on Slamannan High Street has been identified as a suitable replacement for the group’s current base, Slamannan Community Education Centre.
The centre was one of those identified by the council for community asset transfer as part of its wider Strategic Property Review but with no interest forthcoming, officers considered options that would allow the pantry to remain in the village.
A vacant ground-floor shop at 9 High Street, empty for two years, has been identified as a practical replacement that could be adapted with minor work.
The report recommends a five-year community benefit lease at a rent of £1 a year, a mechanism used where community-led services deliver benefits beyond standard commercial terms. If approved, the lease would be issued on a full repairing and insuring basis.
The report highlights that the pantry’s role extends well beyond food provision. Volunteers contribute more than 2000 hours each year, cooking demonstrations run during opening hours, and the space offers many residents a place to meet others - helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.
The pantry also works closely with local schools, health professionals and national retailers, which provide donations and referrals.
Moving to the High Street would keep the service accessible for those who rely on it, avoiding longer journeys to access support. Engagement carried out by the pantry shows strong backing for the relocation, with users saying they would continue to use the service at the new base.
Paul Kettrick, head of investments, assets and climate, said: “Martha’s Pantry provides practical support and a welcoming space for many people living in Slamannan and Limerigg.
"Securing a long-term base on the High Street would allow the group to continue that work and keep the service easily accessible to the community. It’s now for councillors to decide if the lease should be granted.”