AN arts centre is raising money to set up a cafe to become self-sustaining.

The Bureau Centre for the Arts in Blackburn is trying to raise around £1,000 to pay for cooking equipment and held turn a space at the site into a kitchen.

The centre, on the corner of Victoria Street and Richmond Terrace provides space for arts, theatre, music, cultural activities and communal participation events.

Entirely ran by a board of volunteers, the centre relies heavily on grants.

Leonie Stephenson, of the centre, said every penny will help a lot.

She said: "It is a not for profit organisation run by a board of volunteer directors, working hard to secure pockets of grant funding to enable us to put on events for the community.

"We are determined to become a more sustainable organisation, less reliant on grants and able to build a regular, diverse programme which will create more opportunities for our community to access arts and social activities.

"Having a cafe would not only help us with our ambition to achieve sustainability, it would also be a key element in creating a community space within The Bureau.

"We want to create a hub where our local community can come together in a friendly, creative environment, where everyone is welcome, where people can connect with people from different communities, experience inspiring art, express themselves and learn new skills."

The centre opened in the old St John’s church that used to house Blackburn’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau opened in 2015 after the CAB moved into the library.

It applied for an alcohol licence to run alongside events they hold in the hopes that any money brought in will help cover the costs of running the building.

Ms Stephenson said: "It is hoped the money brought in from selling alcohol would help the facility continue to provide an affordable arts venue in the town centre.

"Our vision for the cafe is to provide simple, healthy and homemade vegetarian and vegan food at accessible prices, in a comfortable and relaxing environment."