BOSSES at a charity feeding the homeless are looking for new premises to base their main shop.

The Bolton NICE charity is closing its shop on Moor Lane, to make way for a new kebab drive-thru restaurant.

Martin McLoughlin, their chief executive, is thankful to have been at the temporary site for free but is now looking to secure a permanent location.

He said: “The ideal situation would be an empty building. I know there are loads of these across Bolton so it would be the best option and we could pay utilities.

“We moved in June last year and the owner of the building was very kind to us to let us stay. We were moved on from Halliwell to Moor Lane because the council boarded up the building and sold us.”

He says the charity cannot operate properly without premises as they help to feed the homeless as well as provide support. But they will continue to deliver food parcels to hostels in Bolton.

Martin added: “We’re looking for an empty space even if it needs some work doing to it, because we’re looking for a more permanent location this time, so we can get people used to it and helping again. We have so many volunteers who give all of their free time, 365 days a year for nothing, so we need a base for them to work at.”

In May, 2020, the NICE charity – Neighbourhood Investment in Community Enterprises – was handed the keys to the Quest Centre building, after Martin had approached the late Cllr David Greenhalgh.

But last May the charity was forced to move on after being handed a notice by Bolton Council.

Martin said: “They don’t seem to sit down and talk to us like they do with others when we’re just trying to help people.”

But Bolton Council told the Bolton News at the time: “When Bolton Nice entered into an agreement with Bolton Council to use the Quest building rent free, it was made clear at every stage that this was on a strictly temporary basis.

“This arrangement was extended as the charity was assisting with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have always been committed to helping Bolton Nice find permanent premises and have been clear that we would not let the charity close because of a lack of facilities.”