The medieval town centre church of St Lawrence will soon begin a new life as a 21st Century community facility for the people of Ipswich, when it reopens on Thursday 8th May.
The project has been funded by Ipswich Borough Council and a Government Growth Point Status grant of £700,000.
Ipswich Borough Council has been working closely with a number of community groups who want to use the facility, including Age Concern Suffolk, the Ipswich Council for Voluntary Services (ICVS), Ipswich Arts Association (IAA), Ipswich Historic Churches Trust (IHCT), and Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE).
The Borough Council is also working with Whitehouse Enterprises to operate a café that is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, and 10.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays. The café will offer employment opportunities to people with learning and physical disabilities.
Genesis, another social enterprise, are using the centre to show-case some of their excellent work and have some of their clients demonstrating their skills.
In its new form, the facility meets the needs of a wide and diverse Ipswich community and still provides a central place for people to meet, sit down and have a cup of tea.
Councillor Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough Council's Arts, Culture & Leisure portfolio-holder, said: "The new St Lawrence Centre offers a unique experience in the heart of the town centre. The Council's success in obtaining funding and its own capital contribution has enabled this fabulous building to be fully restored and returned to use. We are looking for a wide range of cultural and social activities to ensure that it is a vibrant and exciting venue."
Graham Speed, General Manager of Whitehouse Enterprises, said: "We are delighted to be part of this exciting venture. Whitehouse Enterprises already offers a wide and diverse range of career opportunities but the chance to have trainees working in the town centre is brilliant. The St Lawrence Centre will enable us to show the high standards of food and service we are able to offer."
Daphne Savage, Chief Executive of Age Concern Suffolk, added: "Age Concern has been watching the progress being made at St Lawrence with anticipation and we are pleased that the transformation of this historic building will provide an important town centre community facility. We have been fully involved in discussions with Whitehouse Enterprises to ensure that the needs of older people using the centre have been considered."
St Lawrence Centre, Dial Lane, Ipswich
Telephone: 0844 7369710
www.stlawrencecentre.co.uk (opens in a new window)