A COLLECTION of Andover charities is looking for a new home after a combination of vandalism and water damage made its old location unusable.

Andover Community Engage (ACE) consisting of ACE Community Lounge and Warm Hub, Andover Community Fridge, Andover Clothing Exchange and child-drop in space ACE Youth, had to close the doors of its previous premises on Andover High Street as a combination of ongoing vandalism and heavy downpours of rain caused the building to become unstable.

Maria Tierney, who runs the group with her sister Tania Hall, explained: “Quite simply the ongoing vandalism has caused several small holes and one very large one in the roof.

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“The water has been coming in for some time, we were only aware of how bad the situation was when the lower ceiling fell in.”

The charity did have alternative accommodation lined up, with its original plan to take over the old Marks and Spencer building falling through, with the lease instead going to Chapel Arts.

While the visual arts charity has offered to share some of the space with ACE, Maria believes that this will result in ACE not having the space it needs for its various endeavours, such as the community fridge or warm bank.

She said: “We believe that our community lounge/warm hub, previously scheduled to open November 1, is vital at this time due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“As it’s supported by the community fridge there already isn’t room for everything else that we do.”

Now ACE is looking for a space it can use as its new home.

The charity is looking for a large, open-plan space in a central location, such as Andover town centre or the Anton Trading Estate.

Anyone who knows of a suitable space that Andover Community Engage can occupy can contact the charity by messaging one of its Facebook groups.

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Alternatively, the charity can be reached by emailing andovercommunityengage@outlook.com.

Maria wanted to thank the Andover community for making ACE what it is today.

She said: “It’s our users that make us fight so hard to get the services and facilities we need for the community.

“We very much hope this is just a temporary setback.

“The community supports ACE and ACE supports the community.”

She concluded: “Andover is full of lovely people, ACE just gets to witness it all.”