Vending machine for homeless removed

♦ The world’s first vending machine for the homeless has been removed from a Nottingham shopping centre after the council said it encouraged people to stay on the street.

The machine, which was installed in the Broadmarsh centre in December as part of a trial, had provided 24-hour access to food, clothing and hygiene products for homeless people. Items could only be vended with key cards handed out by Action Hunger and its partner organisations. The key cards are programmed to permit up to three items being dispensed per day in order to stop people becoming over reliant on the machine.

According to Action Hunger, the charity behind the initiative, the late Prof Stephen Hawking had described the concept as “inspirational” in a recent letter sent to the charity. The famous scientist became a patron of the charity earlier this year in what is thought to be one of his last charitable endeavours.

However, Toby Neal from Nottingham City Council told the BBC: “This is a well-meaning but misguided and ill-informed attempt to address complex problems faced by people with accommodation and health issues. There is no evidence that it helps, and may distract people from finding long-term solutions.”

The machine was placed in the city centre mall for an initial one-month trial, which was extended.

Despite the Nottingham announcement, Action Hunger is determined to roll out the machines across the country.