TK Maxx in Teesside Park closed it’s doors until further notice last night (Thursday) as all of its food stock is given out to community Projects and food banks across the area.

Labour’s Tees Valley Mayoral Candidate, Jessie Joe Jacobs is one of the people coordinating relief efforts in the Tees Valley was there to collect food and see the doors shut.

She said: “It’s just a devastating time for so many people.  In the last seven days I have been working tirelessly with communities and businesses providing support and advice. There is growing fear and anxiety about people's futures. Companies who don't know if they will make it until the end of the month. When big known stores like T K Maxx close their doors, it brings the reality of the crisis closer to home.

“There is a huge amount of community action too though. The food provided by TK Maxx will go to vulnerable people all across the Tees Valley.

“On Monday we set up Teesside Community Action group and now have 1,300 members and around 70 volunteers signed up to support people. I am talking to VCS and charity leads to map provision. There is a lot to do and many gaps, particularly in connecting and coordination of activity. It feels like time is against us but we are doing all we can."