A Lancaster community centre has opened a full-time cafe bar thanks to a huge response from the public.
Charles Tyrer, chief executive of the Gregson Centre, said that the local community has been instrumental in helping the Moor Lane venue recover from being closed during lockdown when it was "touch and go" whether it would ever reopen.
A recent appeal for help from volunteers to run a cafe bar at the community centre, led to a fantastic response.
Such was the level of support, from today (March 13) the cafe bar is open, seven days a week from 11am to 11pm.
Charles said this means the Gregson is getting back to its best after being shut during the Covid-19 pandemic.
LISTEN to our interview with Charles Tyrer from the Gregson Centre
"It's been quite a journey since lockdown to get the Gregson back up and running," said Charles.
"We're now at the point that we have 40 regular community groups using the spaces.
"The bar has been really really successful and now this next step, opening the cafe bar in the daytime, hopefully will see a return to the Gregson that people loved pre-lockdown.
"It was touch and go with the Gregson. Community spaces up and down the country have struggled and we've seen a lot of closures of buildings like this.
"There are very few places like this that exist in the country. It's a proper community hub.
"Around 70-odd volunteers helped with the refurbishment of the Gregson to get it back up and running. The community has been fantastic."
While the building itself dates back to 1889, this year marks the 40th birthday of the Gregson Community Association, the charity that runs the centre.
The Gregson hosts all kinds of activities including Tai Chi, adult acting classes, salsa dancing, community choirs, live jazz and folk music, a parent and child support group, youth clubs and a 'secret cinema' upstairs showing films; and is keen to welcome more groups to use its spaces.
Please contact the Gregson if you are interested.
Related Story: Volunteers sought to help run Lancaster arts and community centre - Beyond Radio
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
Beyond the Beat: Two arrests after assault in Lancaster city centre
Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme
Replica RAF helicopter to go on display in Lancaster at three-day show
Life-size knitted mannequin pops up ahead of Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Stars play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager
Roses are red! Lancaster University students celebrate fifth straight victory
70 homes in Carnforth evacuated after bomb scare
