Community centre reopens after two-year renovation

Church Gate Community Centre will host a local foodbank

A Leicestershire community centre has reopened after a two-year renovation costing more than £100,000.

Church Gate Community Centre in Lutterworth, formerly home to a museum and mechanics' institute, opened its doors on Friday.

It is now hosting a local foodbank and several community groups, and also boasts a new café, meeting room and widened doorways for wheelchair access.

Fundraisers say the potential community impact is "immeasurable".

Several organisations contributed towards the renovation costs, including Harborough District Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Lutterworth Area Community Fund and members of the community.

Fundraiser Tor Berry said: "Post-Covid, no end of things closed, and the community infrastructure went into a slightly sagging state.

"And yet, the number of people accessing foodbanks, the number of people in relative poverty, those numbers are increasing.

"And you've got loneliness and people falling through the gaps. So I think this work is more important than ever."