BRADFORD on Avon’s first community hub will open its doors today (March 27) and will be a one stop shop for vulnerable people in the town to access local services.

The plans, which have been in motion for nearly two years, will see the Hub@BA15 centre reside in the old HSBC bank in Church Street, offering residents a food bank and debt and money management advice.

It will also offer community groups a meeting space, shared administration, fundraising and other services to voluntary and community organisations and it is also hoped that the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Credit Union will offer advice on a part-time basis.

The hub has been governed by a trust that is made up of three sponsoring bodies; Bradford Churches Together, the Town Council and BoACAN (Bradford on Avon Community Network).

Laurie Brown, chairman of the trust, said he was hopeful that the people of Bradford on Avon and surrounding villages would use the services available to them.

He added: “Anyone can find themselves in a difficult situation or even a crisis and this may be through no fault of their own. It is times like these that we need something to bridge the gap.

“The Hub is a centre that can bridge that gap and will offer financial advice, emergency food services and signposting to other agencies, some of which may be on hand at the Church Street premises which is in a warm and welcoming grounds.”

The HSBC bank closed in September 2013 and it was from a discussion with the Clifton Diocese of the Catholic Church, which owns the building, and the town council that led to the project gaining support from the Bradford on Avon Area Board, which along with other organisations, donated more than £15,000 for its completion.

Avril Clarke, who is coordinator of the hub, said more than 40 volunteers have signed up to help out and hopes more will follow suit.

The Hub@BA15 will now be open Monday-Friday 10am-1pm.