A NEW community coffee shop and reading room has been created in Edgworth in the style of a similar venue which opened on the same site more than a century ago.

The trustees of The Barlow will today open The Reading Room which has been inspired by an original design of the room in 1909.

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The venue will allow families, friends and business people the chance to meet, relax, eat and drink tea and coffee.

Lee Parker, a trustee, said it was their aim to bring back life into the room which he hopes the community will enjoy as they did years ago.

He said: “In 1909 The Barlow opened its doors for the first time, with the aim of providing recreational and indoor activities for the local community.

“As trustees it is our aim to bring back the community feel and offer continued facilities and services to the community and in doing so we have invested time and money in creating The Reading Room at The Barlow.

“We have sourced the freshest fair trade and organic ingredients for fresh coffee and blended teas to bring life back in to the room that was used for the same purpose 107 years ago.”

By the end of the year the room will also have a historic painting back on the walls, the George and Dragon, after North Turton with Tockholes councillor Jean Rigby secured a grant of £6,000 for its restoration.

Initial opening times will be from 10am until 3pm on Sundays, from 9.30am until 12.30pm on Wednesdays, from 9.30am until 6.30pm on Thursdays, from 3.30pm until 6.30pm on Fridays and from 1pm until 5pm on Saturdays.

Cllr Parker said: “The trustees wanted to invest in local businesses and trades on the project so interior design was done by Little France Boutique in Harwood, Joinery by Chris Peak Joinery as well as many other local trades people.

“The money has been sourced by charitable funds and for the last four to six weeks we have been trialling its products to The Barlow’s user groups to get customer feedback.”

Stuart Miller joined the Barlow as centre manager in February and has helped put the project together with Mr Parker and the other trustees.

Ellie Whitlock is to be the coffee shop manager.