Ipswich Teapot Project which helps vulnerable and homeless forced to leave PJ McGinty’s pub

The Teapot at Mcginty's Ipswich. Junk Food cafe run by Mischa Pearson and voulnteers. Pictured Sarah sharlott, kath gosling, mischa Pearson, Adam Ferguson, Anna engstrom

An award-winning pay-what-you-feel cafe which supports dozens of homeless and vulnerable people in Ipswich has been given just three weeks to find a new base.

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The Teapot Project based at the PJ McGinty’s pub in Northgate Street had occupied a stable storeroom adjacent to the pub’s beer garden for more than six months, and had formed networks with local firms and supermarkets to use food that is within its use by date, but unable to be sold.

The project provided meals five days a week, running a ‘pay-what-you-feel’ strategy to help support homeless people, and those who are struggling to make ends meet with a healthy meal.

Having been given six months pro bono, or for the public good, meaning it was not required to pay bills or rent, the project founders were due to discuss a rent plan with the pub’s management from this month onwards.

But the project organisers were stunned last week when they were delivered the crushing news that they would instead have to find another home within the next three weeks.

Founder Mischa Pearson said: “I can’t thank our volunteers, college students, tea drinkers and faithful customers enough for their unreserved support over the past seven months we’ve been open, and I assure those involved in our continued success that we will not be giving up.

“This is merely a new beginning and we are already in talks with the Co-op about having access to one of their properties. We don’t yet know how it will work, but we will do everything in our power to continue.”

The news has threatened the project’s future, which to date provides around 77 meals per week to the community’s most vulnerable, has saved more than 1,000kg of waste food from landfill and supports up to 25 volunteers.

Earlier this year, the Teapot Project won the waste and recycling award in the Creating the Greenest County Awards, for its efforts in reducing landfill.

In light of the pub’s decision, a crowdfunding page has been launched online to help the Teapot continue and source a new home, with less than three weeks before it is required to leave McGinty’s.

The project’s patron, Ms Great Britain United Nations Natalie Moloney, said: “I am shocked given the sheer volume of work that it’s taken to give Ipswich such a unique opportunity and I am concerned for the volunteers and most vulnerable members of our community who have benefitted endlessly from the Teapot Project.”

McGinty’s management said the project had been fantastic for the community but had decided to reinvest in the space.

Area manager Lee Arthy said: “We have got a community management team going into the site on Tuesday.

“We said to Mischa she could be there six months, and in that time we have totally paid the bills and let them use it rent free.

“We totally support the project and Mischa has done a fantastic job what she is doing in the community, but we are now reinvesting a lot of money in the site.”

To donate to the project’s page, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-teapot-project-made-homeless--2#/