THE trustees of a flood-hit village hall are appealing to the community to make use of the newly-refurbished building.

After Severn Stoke Parish Hall was devastated by the flooding in July last year, many of the groups using its facilities made alternative arrangements.

Following a building insurance payout, the hall was given a full internal refit with an updated kitchen, flooring, and decor.

The hall’s committee members now want Severn Stoke villagers and people from surrounding areas to use the revamped hall.

David Thompson, committee chairman, said: “With the refit it’s probably among the best equipped village halls in Worcestershire.

“The floods brought people together but they have tended to fall away and we want to get them interested again.”

Money from Awards For All and other grant-giving bodies had allowed for steady improvement of the hall’s facilities, including a new disabled toilet, before the storms hit. But the village hall was inundated by about 2 ft (0.6 metres) of water as a result of the nearby river Severn bursting its banks in the heavy rainfall. Mr Thompson added: “We had built up a pretty good hall and then the flooding came along and we had to shut.”

Damage was extensive, with contaminated water swelling the hall’s sprung wooden floor and ruining every kitchen unit and appliance.

It took months for the hall to dry enough for £20,000 worth of repairs to start but since the reopening in April business has been slow.

Committee members are now searching for new ways to get people through the doors including the possibility of hosting cinema nights and showing popular movies like Mamma Mia!

Mr Thompson explained with newly-fitted kitchen, raised stage, disabled access and space for 100 seated visitors, the hall made a good venue. He said: “We can accommodate events like wedding receptions, dance classes, or amateur dramatics groups.

“We don’t want to take business away from nearby village halls so we’re playing to our strengths.”