A charity set up by a former mayor of Ely is set to open the doors to a new youth centre in the city.

Youth Ely Hub has paid for the refurbishment and a host of new equipment for a wing of Centre E, in Barton Road, and it will open as a youth centre for the first time on June 26.

The charity is the brainchild of Councillor Elaine Griffin-Singh, with support from fellow councillors Mike Rouse, Alison Whelan, Jo Pearson and Nigel Clarke.

Cllr Griffin-Singh said: “During my mayoral year, it became obvious that Ely was in dire need of youth provision both social and serious with the key issue being available premises.

“At the same time, it became known that Centre E, which is in the ownership of the county council, was under threat of demolition. After much negotiation, a lease for Centre E was granted to a small charity that I run with four other trustees.

“Our charity will be immediately operating a youth night for age 14+ every Friday. It is our hope to expand the current provision to every evening, and to every age group including specialist groups, as soon as possible depending on volunteers coming forward.”

Centre 33, a youth charity, will also be moving its Monday and Thursday youth drop-in sessions to Centre E the following week.

Cllr Griffin-Singh said the charity also had a lease for the remaining section of Centre E, a former Army drill hall, and said it would continue to be available to community groups.

She added: “If you are interested in renting the hall on an hourly basis, either for a regular booking or for a specific event, please contact us for information. We also have office space, counselling rooms and other rooms for hire or rent.”

Contact enquiries.centree@gmail.com or call 01353 658 530.