The proposal identifies a former retail unit on Slamannan High Street as a suitable replacement for the group’s current base, Slamannan Community Education Centre, which closed 1 October 2025. Access arrangements have been put in place to allow the pantry to continue using the centre until the move to a new premises is complete.

As part of the council’s wider Strategic Property Review - and with no emerging interest for Community Asset Transfer of Slamannan Community Centre - officers considered options that would allow the pantry to remain in the village.

A vacant ground-floor shop at 9 High Street, empty for two years, has been identified as a practical replacement that could be adapted with minor work.

The report recommends a five-year community benefit lease at a rent of £1 a year, a mechanism used where community-led services deliver benefits beyond standard commercial terms. If approved, the lease would be issued on a full repairing and insuring basis.

The report highlights that the pantry’s role extends well beyond food provision. Volunteers contribute more than 2,000 hours each year, cooking demonstrations run during opening hours, and the space offers many residents a place to meet others - helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.

The pantry also works closely with local schools, health professionals and national retailers, which provide donations and referrals.

Moving to the High Street would keep the service accessible for those who rely on it, avoiding longer journeys to access support. Engagement carried out by the pantry shows strong backing for the relocation, with users saying they would continue to use the service at the new base.