A VILLAGE cafe is cooking up a storm thanks to a donation of kitchen equipment.

Weaver Vale Housing Trust has donated hundreds of pounds worth of equipment to the Hope Cafe at St Mary’s Church Hall, in Church Lane.

This includes a stainless steel work island, shelves, tea pots, pans and a full dinner set for 15 people.

St Mary’s is currently working towards a huge refurbishment development of the hall, called the Lighthouse Project, set to cost approximately £468,000.

Plans to upgrade and extend the building have been designed and half of the funds raised through grants from Weaverham Parish Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and church-based resources.

Mike Sanders, of the Lighthouse Project, said: “We want to completely refurbish and extend the church hall with plans for a new front, offices, a new hall and storage space.

“The kitchen is part of that bigger project and has become the first stage of our development.”

The Hope Café is open on Wednesdays from noon and has around 60 regular visitors who come for a catch up over lunch.

Margaret Wilson, Hope Café organiser, said: “The new kitchen equipment has made such a difference and we were delighted to receive all the extra crockery, pots and pans.”

All the equipment came from the trust’s independent retirement apartment scheme, Moretons Meade.

Yvonne Banks, supporting people team leader for Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Lighthouse Project – the café plays such an important part in the community and we hope the new equipment will mean it continues to thrive.”