A COMMUNITY centre taken over by the company that runs a district’s council housing is to be officially re-opened after being refurbished.

The Holyoake Community Centre in South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street, has been upgraded as part of a £350,000 makeover of centres across the district by Cestria Community Housing.

The former district council-run centre was taken over by the association, which now owns the former council’s housing stock, earlier this year.

A Cestria spokesman said: "It had fallen into a state of disrepair after the council ran out of money to carry out repairs.

"The work on the centre has involved a complete refurbishment, including new kitchen facilities and new storage space for the groups who use it.

"Local people and groups were consulted about what they would want to see in the community centre and these ideas have been incorporated into the new look.

"The centre is used by several local groups, including a toddler group, a gentle exercise for the elderly class, and a weekly tea dance.’’ The facelift is the first of several community centre makeovers taking place for local community centres in the Chester-le-Street area..

The official reopening takes place on Wednesday (june10) and will be performed by Cestria’s Chairman, Paul Tinnion and Vice-Chairwoman Vera Codling.

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