A SOMERSET food bank could soon store more food for people in need if new plans are approved.

Bridgwater Food Bank has been based on Mount Street since 2015, purchasing the building in 2017 after being allowed to operate rent-free for two years.

The charity, which is linked to the Trussell Trust, has applied to demolish an existing Portakabin structure on site, which it uses to store food, and replace it with a larger, more modern building.

Sedgemoor District Council is expected to make a ruling on the plans before the end of the year.

The charity currently operates out of two buildings on Mount Street – a larger, brick-based structure used for offices and some storage, and the Portakabin which is dedicated solely to storing food.

Alina MacKinley, representing the charity, said that replacing the latter structure would not increase capacity but make the food bank more accessible for donors, staff and those in need.

She said: “It is proposed to demolish the Portakabin storage building in order to replace it with a larger building due to the growing needs of the charity.

“The current building has no double doors for an access; there are two single leaf doors on the south elevation.

“At present, manoeuvring with large boxes and containers can be difficult. It would also be beneficial to drive in with the van for an overnight parking, loading and offloading.”

The new steel-framed building will be a few centimetres lower than the current structure, but will add more than 45 sq m of floor space for the charity.

The building will also be lower the ground, removing the need for the wheelchair ramp which is currently in place.

Food bank trustee Robin Kinahan said: “The existing building is in a poor state and the floor is not able to take the full weight of the food we need to store.

“The ability to store food before it is given to those in crisis is an essential part of our charity work.”

Neither the town council nor the South West Heritage Trust has objected to the proposals, with the district council expected to make a decision on the matter before Christmas.

To make a donation to Bridgwater Food Bank, or to find out more information about its work, visit www.bridgwater.foodbank.org.uk.