Vending machine for homeless removed

A vending machine for the homeless which a charity claimed was the first in the world has been scrapped after just three months.

Action Hunger installed the device in the Broadmarsh Centre in Nottingham to provide food, socks and toothbrushes, among other essentials, to people sleeping rough at Christmas. But the city council has now said it was a “misguided and ill-informed attempt to address complex problems”.

The machine was unique to Nottingham, but there were said to be plans for over 100 more for cities such as Manchester and London.

Toby Neal, from Nottingham City Council, said: “This is a well-meaning but misguided and ill-informed attempt to address complex problems faced by people with accommodation and health issues.”