A SOCIAL enterprise charity has teamed up with a supported housing project to open a restuarant that will create up to ten jobs.

The Avalon Group, which has development and training projects around North Yorkshire, has partnered with North Yorkshire County Council and Housing 21 to open a restaurant at Greyfriars, a new extra care housing development in Flints Terrace, in Richmond.

The restaurant, The Franciscan, will open to the public on November 1, with a number of job opportunities and volunteer positions for local people.

Angelena Fixter, CEO of the Avalon Group, said: “With this landmark project we will not only provide a first-rate new restaurant, but also new jobs, new training opportunities and new avenues for support.

“As always, we are committed to supporting people through innovative services that provide excellent quality and value for money – and The Franciscan at Greyfriars does exactly that.”

The Greyfriars development was recently completed after several months of building and has welcomed its first residents, who will live independently but with support from an on-site team of staff.

The collaboration between the Avalon Group and Housing 21 is the first time that the charity has created a social enterprise project in a housing development.

Its other projects include gardening services, painting and decorating services and a vintage shop and tea room.

For more information on the charity and its projects visit www.avalongroup.org.uk