THE new look Winsford Community Centre & Grocery is up and running after undergoing a complete redecoration and refit.

Changing Lives Together, which has been based in the town for more than 20 years, has taken over the centre which provides help and support to residents most in need. 

The charity has invested in a makeover of the old job centre premises in High Street as work on the town centre's regeneration continues.

With the charity's commitment to the town, the new look community centre will remove thousands of tonnes of food from going into landfill; and offer a range of new but mainly low-cost, high-quality homeware goods and furniture; reclaimed paint; a Baby Bank; and Uniform Exchange.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, CWAC cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: "I am delighted Changing Lives Together is continuing its commitment to helping those in need in Winsford.

"The council is proud to continue supporting Changing Lives Together, and this fantastic refit of the community centre will create a vital hub for Winsford at the heart of the council’s exciting plans for the town centre’s regeneration."

The building is also being used by other charities like Cheshire Mind and community groups, and the charity also plans to open a low-cost café in the near future, giving local people a space to meet and chat.

David Grocott, chief executive officer of Changing Lives Together, said: "We are very happy to have taken over the running of Winsford Community Centre & Grocery on the back of the amazing work done by the directors and volunteers.

"Changing Lives Together is delighted to continue playing an active part in supporting our local community.

"Support through retail, groceries, befriending, community sheds and much more will be available for the people of Winsford.

"We are also delighted other groups such as Mid-Cheshire Mind will be joining us to provide a great offer of help for those most in need. It is fantastic to be a part of the new plans for Winsford town centre."

With this move, Changing Lives Together joins Nationwide, MyDentist, Hollie & Co, Tur & Co, and Specsavers in relocating to new units in the town centre.

The town centre regeneration includes the demolition of some existing buildings and the construction of new and improved spaces for businesses, with a new 168-space car park alongside improvement to walking, cycling access and dedicated cycle storage.

There are also plans for a vibrant community hub at the heart of the council-led redevelopment scheme for the town centre, which will be complimented by the activity in the Winsford Community Centre & Grocery.

New open public spaces are being created for exciting pop-ups, events and visiting attractions, with more green space in the town centre than ever before, providing a relaxing and pleasant environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.