A community café in Waterfoot will reopen after staff announced its closure last month.

The Old Library on Bacup Road opened in 2017 but sadly had to close down after the co-owner, Lynne Kemp died on July 21.

After much deliberation, the staff at the café decided to ‘continue the hard work Martin, Lynne and the whole team’ have built and reopen as soon as possible.

In a statement announcing the reopening, a spokesperson for The Old Library said: “Our commitment to keeping The Old Library alive as a not-for-profit community Cafe will ensure The Old Library Cafe remains a space for the whole Rossendale community.

“The best way to support and grow a strong community is by providing a space to meet and eat. After all, you have to feed your community to help it grow.

“We believe a café is as much about purpose as ‘profit’.  We promise to create a community space to help combat the effects of loneliness and a safe place to bring people together.

“With ample parking and our exciting menus, we are the perfect destination for all your social needs.”

The team have confirmed that they will be keeping on the staff and are “super excited that they will be staying on” with them. A date hasn’t yet been confirmed but the staff are aiming to reopen in four weeks time.

Annie McMahon, Rossendale Heritage Champion and cllr for the Hareholme ward, where the café is located, extended her condolences to Lynne’s family, friends and colleagues.

Delighted that the café is open for business again, cllr McMahon said: “It is good to see this lovely building being used as a Not-for-Profit business with its values of serving the Community. 

“As ward councillors we are of course delighted to see it once again open as a cafe serving the people of Waterfoot and beyond.

“As Heritage Champion I'm of course, very happy to see this beautiful building - one of the heritage gems of Waterfoot and Rossendale - opening to serve the public and illustrating the link between Heritage, Community and the Local Economy.”

The announcement received an overwhelmingly positive response online with customers sharing their excitement over the reopening.

One woman said: “I am delighted to see the Old Library will be reopening and hope that the amazing team, Lorraine and co, will be back running front of house.

“They know and understand the clientele and always have a cheery welcome for everyone who comes in.”

Another person commented: “Fantastic news. The Old Library Waterfoot continues to be an important hub for the community.”