Surbiton Community Fridge closed its doors to the public in May 2024.
When we moved into the Brighton Road premises, we were made aware that it was only temporary as the shop was earmarked for development. We accepted the proposal as it would give us a chance to trial the concept of a community fridge, which at that point was new to us and there were hardly any in the borough. Prior to that, we had been collecting and distributing food surplus in a different but less efficient way.
Surbiton Community Fridge was a roaring success which served more than a thousand people and saved tons of food from going to waste. But it was so much more than just a place to get free food. People made friends (volunteers and clients alike), they had somewhere warm and welcoming to go to, there was even a welcome wardrobe for people to get any clothes they needed for free.
A genuine sense of community surrounded the whole operation which brought people from all walks of life together, people who would likely never have met and talked with each other in any other context. With only one little electric van to support it, we were shored up by the huge support from our amazing set of volunteers.
The shop stayed open for a long as possible until we had to hand the property back to the owner. The shop is currently boarded up and still undeveloped.
For over two and a half years, we have been looking for an affordable premises with some degree of permanence. As an entirely community run and led venture which by its very nature operates at a loss, we cannot afford commercial rents with all the commitments of a commercial lease. Exhausted by the fruitless search for community-owned premises to rent, we have finally accepted the only offer made to us by the council - a refurbished ex-gardeners' tool shed which nobody has managed to make work as a cafe in the middle of a poorly attended recreation park.
My personal feelings of frustration and failure at not being able to secure a new suitable venue for the Surbiton Community Fridge are intense and constant. However, these dark feelings are dispelled when I see the continued enthusiasm and commitment by the volunteers, the relief they have brought to the new people they are reaching and their sheer determination to make it work.
Not only have they recreated the community fridge in a very odd, tiny and largely inappropriate location, but they have developed a set of outreach/ satellite posts where they drop off food throughout the week in order to reach new communities, especially those who cannot get out and about so much.
As a migrant run and focused organisation, we recognise and experience a lot of conscious and unconscious bias and it can be exhausting to deal with. This project has allowed us to serve the whole community - indigenous and migrant alike. But with so much positive energy from our staff, volunteers, clients and supporters, I hope we can push through this pain barrier and bounce back as we did before.
We are still looking out for premises which would tick all our boxes. As far as we know we have pursued every line of inquiry but if you can connect us with a sympathetic landlord, please get in touch.
Special thanks, appreciation and love have to go to Nadia and Shanthini without whom there would be no magic!!
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