A POPULAR cafe has opened its doors again after weeks of closure following a joint venture between Redditch YMCA and a centre for people with learning disabilities.

The organisation has joined forces with staff and service users from Millfields Day Service Centre in Enfield to run a cafe at the YMCA base in Church Hill Centre every Thursday and Friday.

YMCA chief executive Alan Fraser said he was delighted the cafe had re-opened as it had proved a popular facility for Church Hill residents.

He said: "The previous franchisee decided to move on and that is why the cafe closed.

"But ever since we've been looking to work in partnership with another organisation to get it up and running again.

"Our community centre has really missed having the bustle created by a thriving cafe area.

"We are hoping it will be a success again and if so, will look to open it up every week day."

Senior day centre officer Pat Cox said: "This is going to be fantastic for our service users. They will get to interact with the community, giving them life skills that could prove invaluable in the future."

Staff and service users from Millfields Centre also run a cafe every weekday at Park House, off Evesham Street in Smallwood.