Weymouth's Redlands Community Café marks a year since opening
A team of volunteers run the service at the Leisure Park
A community café, set up at Weymouth's Redlands Leisure Park, has been celebrating a year since they opened.
It was set up in the old bar area of the centre in January 2024 with the aim of being a 'large open and welcoming space for the community'.
The café also includes a free children's soft play area, with the whole operation run by volunteers.
Keri Mathie, Redlands Café Supervisor has been overwhelmed by the support and thanks everyone who had visited over the last 12 months:
“The space has gone from a dark, empty, old bar to a bright, clean and welcoming community café. I have an amazing team of volunteers who are really committed in donating their time for the benefit of Redlands and the local area. They are all connected in some way or another whether that is from sports groups or living in the area and want to see Redlands thrive and become sustainable for the future.
"We get some amazing feedback from customers and we are always looking for improvements. I love that the café has become a real hub in the community and a great support to people. Thank you to all our customers.”
The new addition has been well received by people in Weymouth, with a large number of regulars.
Further renovations and improvements are currently being made to the building too, in partnership with Active Dorset CIO and Dorset Council.
It follows the community group taking on the lease from Weymouth College in 2022.
Improvements so far have included new floors in both Sports Halls, re-surfacing the car park, and installing solar panels.
Two new 3G floodlit football pitches and an artificial cricket wicket are on their way in 2025.
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