HOPE FOR ‘ SOUP KITCHEN’ IN SHOCK CLOSURE
THE operator of a charity shop and soup kitchen, both ordered to shut by a court says he’s hopeful of re- opening them later this week.
The Twist Shop at Quay Street and Twist Soup Kitchen ( above) at High Street weren’t registered as charities but owner, Oliver Williams told The Sligo Champion that negotiations were progressing well in registering both.
“It’s a tight deadline in which to have everything prepared but we should be okay,” he said. The soup kitchen feeds up to 40 people free of charge each day and dismay greeted its sudden closure.
The case against Williams of Loughrea, County Galway was the first of its kind brought by the Charities Regulatory Authority which has expressed concerns at the way both shops in Sligo were being operated.
THE Galway man behind a ‘ soup kitchen’ operating in Sligo and which was ordered shut by a Judge last Thursday, says he remains hopeful of re- opening it later this week.
The Twist charity clothes shop on Quay Street and corresponding Twist Soup Kitchen on High Street were registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority amidst concerns about how they were being operated.
Judge Kevin Kilrane ordered both premises to close last Thursday after hearing a submission from counsel for the authority.
Oliver Wiliams, who is the operator of both premises, said his efforts at registering both as charities was progressing well. The matter is due back before the court this Thursday.
“It’s a tight deadline in which to have everything prepared but we should be okay,” Mr Williams said. He added that he wasn’t surprised at the closure order given that the premises weren’t registered but said he was surprised the regulator brought the prosecution given that he had been in negotiations with him since last November.
“We’re just small fry,” said Mr Williams who said he had received massive support from the general public and others since news of closure order became known. He says the soup kitchen fed up to 40 people a day in Sligo and it was free of charge. He said it was the goodwill of many volunteers which kept the soup kitchen going.
Mr Williams admitted that it was “difficult to comply with all the paperwork” regarding the application. “I’ll know more this evening ( Tuesday). I’m ready to hit the submit button on the application. I’m just waiting on some outstanding details such as showing what we don’t have in the bank,” he said, adding that he was also in the process of appointing trustees which was also a requirment of the process of registering with the authority. Mr Williams’ solicitor, Tom MacSharry had sought an adjournment of the case last Thursday but Judge Kilrane said he would only grant it on the basis that the premises would close forthwith.