COLCHESTER Foodbank is expecting 2021 to be its busiest year ever and is preparing to move to a new distribution centre which is five times the size of its existing premises to cope with demand.

In part due to the coronavirus crisis, last year was the foodbank's busiest in its history, with 6,001 food parcels being distributed between April and September.

This was up from 4,073 during the same period in 2019, an increase of about 47 per cent.

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Mike Beckett, chief officer of Colchester Foodbank, said he was expecting demand to increase further at the start of 2021.

"2021 looks like it will be our busiest year ever," he said.

"If Covid is sorted by the summer and if Brexit turns out to be a success then 2020 may remain as our busiest year ever, but it looks like we might have an economic downturn in 2021.

"We are planning at least for 2021 to be our busiest ever year."

The foodbank has roughly doubled in size every two years since it was founded and Mr Beckett said it has far outgrown its existing distribution centre in Moorside, which will close at the end of the month.

To cope with its growth, the charity will be moving its distribution operations to new premises near B&M at Tollgate in Stanway in February.

Mr Beckett said: "Moorside has been too small for us since 2015.

"We have been using a lot of church halls we have borrowed in the meantime, but the problem is you have to give these buildings back.

"The new distribution centre is about five times the size of it.

"It will make a big difference to us and also helps with social distancing and all the things we have to abide to because of Covid."

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Essex County Council has launched a new £90,000 funding pot for foodbanks and projects to support vulnerable families through lockdown.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available per project to help provide food for families across Essex.

To find out more or apply, visit ealc.gov.uk/home.

Colchester Foodbank is in need of several tinned items including potatoes, custard, rice pudding, fish and meat as well as deodorant.

Visit colchester.foodbank.org.uk.