A homelessness charity service is facing closure after “unexpectedly being served an eviction notice”, and is urgently seeking a new home.

Streetreads Library is an Edinburgh-based service that supports between 150 to 200 homeless people a week by providing a warm and safe space to read and talk. 

It is operated by the charity Simon Community Scotland, which recorded nearly £11.5m in income in the financial year ending March 2024, but the charity said that Streetreads was an independent service that was “solely reliant on donations and fundraising”.

Streetreads Library said it was unexpectedly served an eviction notice by its landlord, the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, and was facing closure.

But the CEMC said it did not evict the charity but instead was unable to renew the lease for Streetreads due to concerns about anti-social behaviour and substance abuse.

The CEMC said: “We are saddened that we are not able to renew the lease for Streetreads. 

“Concerns have been expressed to us regarding an increase in antisocial behaviour, including substance abuse, in and around the church property.”

The CEMC said that although these issues were raised with Streetreads for “a number of years”, the situation had not improved.

“The safety of all our tenants, visitors and staff is a priority but we wish Streetreads success as they move forward.”

Fiona Williamson, head of service in Edinburgh for Simon Community Scotland, said: “We are devastated and deeply concerned about the impact this will have on people who use the library.”

She said Streetreads had grown “exponentially” since its opening in 2021, adding: “There will be a huge gap in services and support while we seek new premises, as our appeal for more time to find an alternative site has sadly been declined.

“Losing this space is not just a blow for the most vulnerable and isolated people in our city — it’s a setback for Edinburgh as a whole.”

Lorraine McGrath, chief executive of the Simon Community Scotland, said alternative premises would likely add an additional £20,000 a year to the service’s annual running costs, which already amount to about £75,000.

McGrath said: “This eviction underscores the growing challenges facing people in Edinburgh who are increasingly at risk of homelessness and all the related harm and trauma. We need urgent support to find a new home for Streetreads.”

The award-winning authors Ian Rankin and Michael Pederson, who is also Edinburgh’s poet laureate, have voiced their support for the charity.

Rankin said: “I’ve known and supported Streetreads from the very beginning and always enjoyed visiting the library and drop-in centre. I’m so hoping that suitable accommodation can be found for this crucial enterprise.”

Pederson said: “Streetreads Library is an incredible, crucial, and vital resource to Edinburgh and Scotland beyond. It’s refuge and salvation, it’s connection and inspiration, and so so much more. 

“We need to be growing it, supporting it, championing it and celebrating it. It’s a model for others to learn from, to follow, but only if we rally behind them now and henceforth. 

“What a formidable loss this location would be, a beacon of hope taken from the chest chamber of our capital city.”