Last updated at 15:53, Friday, 14 September 2012

A community drop-in centre is to be opened in a Maryport town centre shop.

Maryport Methodist Church has appointed manager Paul Caine to run the Senhouse Street service.

Mr Caine said his immediate job would be to find out what services townsfolk needed.

He said the building, formerly Diamond Dayz photographic studios, was large enough to accommodate a range of services.

It could be used for counselling or support groups, and there was a room that could be used as a computer suite and cyber cafe.

The Rev Nicola Reynolds, superintendent minister for the Methodist Solway Circuit, said that for a long time the Methodist church in Maryport wanted to set up a community outreach service.

Mr Caine, who previously managed the Ewanrigg Community Centre and was a Neighbourhood Watch officer, said there was no intention of competing with local businesses.

The Rev Heather Snape, Maryport Methodist minister, said the centre will be officially opened once the lease has been signed and planning permission obtained for a change of use.

First published at 11:53, Friday, 14 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk