Stowford Community Centre. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref shs 8221-36-11SH

STOWFORD Community Centre leaders are ‘desperate’ to find volunteers so it can re-open a café that is a vital source of income for the hub.

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Leaders at the Stowford Rise venue were forced to shut the eatery three weeks ago due to a lack of helpers.

Centre director Jan Jones said on Wednesday she hoped the café will re-open in the “near future” if volunteers can be found.

“We desperately need help,” she told the Herald.

“Closing the café has taken away an important part of the centre. The volunteers we have are ones we can rely on, but we need more.”

Volunteer stints are for three hours slots. It is hoped the café can re-open to its normal hours from Monday to Saturday, added Jan.

Use of the café had become centre leaders’ “main concern”, its manager, Jeff Merrett MBE, said last month.

The venue has faced a challenge of being self-sufficient since January and hall bookings, and the cafe, are its main source of income.

“We’re a community centre, not a business,” said Mr Merrett.

“Any profit we make goes back into running the centre.”

Anyone interested in volunteering in the café can contact Mr Merrett on 01395 576803, or e-mail stowfordcommunitycentre@btconnect.com.