A NEW cafe will be opening in Darwen Leisure Centre this week creating eight new jobs.

The centre has been without a cafe for a few months since Blakey’s Express departed last year due to staff shortages.

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Fusilli Cafe Bar has now moved into the reception area and is recruiting for eight new positions.

It will offer gym-goers a variety of pasta dishes, cakes, pastries and hot drinks, made with products from across the North West.

Daren Derrick, owner, said there will be a focus on healthy eating to suit the needs of members.

He said: “The cafe is a vital facility in the leisure centre that I think people have missed one recently.

“It’s not just a place for people to come and swim or go to the gym.

“There is so much going on here and I think people need a place to chill after their workout and socialise.

“We want to meet everyone’s needs from the older generation to the kids, who go swimming with their parents.

“All our products are from nearby and we will be offering people to chance to choose their pasta, hot or cold, and their ingredients and make it fresh for them.

“We have been working with fitness staff to make sure we’re offering plenty of healthy options.

“We have been overwhelmed with applications for the job vacancies so far which is excellent.”

A Darwen bakery will be providing the pastries for the cafe while the milk will come from Smalley Fold Farm in Balderstone.

Other local businesses will also be used to provide the best of local produce.

The coffee is roasted in Shipley in West Yorkshire while the cafe’s tea will be coming from the Tea Brew Company in Manchester.

Cllr Brian Taylor, leader of Darwen Town Council, said: “I use the leisure centre regularly and a cafe has been missed.

“It is all about health and to have food which complements that ethos is really important.

“We have been looking for a company to take over for months now so I am really glad to see Fusilli Cafe Bar move in.

“People do need a place to chat as well as keep fit at a leisure centre.”

The opening hours will be the same as the centre itself: Monday to Friday from 7am to 10pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm.