A COMMUNITY hub which has been running for two years continues to thrive.

Mavis Grundy and Louise Cook became interested in The Beehive Centre in Mosley Common when it was a Wigan Council facility.

After a community asset transfer, which was secured with the help of charity Douglas Valley Community, the pair have increased the centre's services from six hours a week to being open nearly every day offering a range of activities.

The building is now accessed by around 300 people a week and has a 5-star rated cafe.

Classes carried out at the centre include creative crafts, ballet, yoga, karate, dance and drama.

Co-owner of The Beehive Centre, Mavis, said: “It has been amazing how far we have come in transforming the centre into a thriving place for local people of all ages.

“The reason why we wanted to set up the centre was to help support people who are isolated and lonely in their community.

"With the centre being surrounded by bungalows for the elderly is was a perfect opportunity to provide that vital support.

“We chose the name ‘The Beehive Centre’ as we wanted it to be a busy place where people of all ages felt they could come and make new friend, meet up with an old friend or just relax.”

The centre, which has 15 volunteers, also received £10,000 from the council's Community Investment Fund and used the money to buy chairs, tables, blinds, 10 tablets to run IT classes, and to decorate the property.

It received separate funding from the local authority to replace windows, external doors, fascias and install a new roof.

Volunteers also deliver around five to ten hot and cold meals to residents who cannot visit the centre.

The Beehive works with Sainsbury's who donate food and allows items like bread, bananas and potatoes to be sold for 25p each as well.

Allotment holders also bring their own grown vegetables and free range eggs at the centre.

A table top sale is stationed permanently in the building selling donated clothes for 50p per item too.

Penny McGinty, assistant director for corporate contracts and assets at the council, added: "Transferring buildings through the Community Asset Transfer, to people such as Mavis and Louise, who know their local area inside and out, and know what those people want and need is vital in ensuring our most vulnerable residents have the support they need.”