The future of a food charity on the peninsula has been guaranteed after a village hall committee vowed they would not shut it down despite pressure from a nearby shop owners.

The Basic Life charity's pop up shop in Chelmondiston started three weeks ago but has faced opposition from Hollingsworth's shop owners James and Carly Welham, in the village.

Volunteers and shoppers were faced with an, as yet, unidentified protester, during their one hour session last Friday as she lambasted the charity and its users.

Mr Welham asked the village hall committee not to continue hiring the hall to the Basic Life volunteers, while Mrs Welham has taken to social media complaining the pop up was damaging their business.

Food charity will continue at Chelmondiston village hall

However, the charity has received support from neighbouring shop Orwell Stores and the village hall, that sees no reason to not allow the pop up volunteers to hire it out for an hour..

Pat Lakey, booking clerk and chair of the village hall committee, said: "Sara (a volunteer) is not causing the village hall any problems with her hiring so there is no need to disrupt it.

"It is doing good for the few people that go in there. I have been in to see her after what happened because that should not be going on.

"She was worried they may not be able to continue but I have assured her of our full support."

Caroline Chicken, owner of Orwell Stores in Chelmondiston, added: "The Basic Life Pop Up shop serves two good purposes: helping those in need and preventing food waste. It has my full support." 

The next pop up shop at Chelmondiston village hall will take place on Friday, between 5pm - 6pm.

Users can just turn up and can take shopping bag of products for just £2, there are no need for referrals and have proved popular in Chelmondiston and other areas.

Basic Life Charity was founded in Felixstowe by Graham Denny, which also has a shop in Trimley and a community cafe.

Grahan Denny picking up surplus food

The pop-up shops were started two years against, situated mainly in church or village halls and have been well used, with more being opened up further afield.

Donations are provided by a number of shops, including Orwell Stores, Morrisons, Lidl, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and the Co-op.

More details on Basic Life Charity here...

Mr and Mrs Welham have been approached for comment but failed to respond.

Carly and James Welham