A NEW group formed in Prudhoe hopes to take a run-down former bowls pavilion and transform it into a community cafe hub.

The building in Eastwoods Park has stood empty for around a decade and has become neglected, and with this year seeing it turn 100, an appeal was made for residents in the community to come up with a solution to bring it back into use.

A Friends of Eastwoods Park group was formed and is in the process of going through Charity Commission registration, to allow it to submit a tender to Northumberland County Council for the former bowls pavilion.

The group hopes to turn the building into a community space which would include a dog friendly cafe, toilet facilities, a community and activity room and a place for sports equipment for use in the park.

Trustee Russ Greig said: “For years Eastwoods Park has been neglected and even this part of Prudhoe generally has been neglected, so part of it is about bringing some pride back to this part of Prudhoe.

“We got together just because we were looking for uses for what the building could actually be; we wanted something for the whole community.

“There’s no facilities here, not even any toilet facilities, and we thought somewhere where parents could come for a coffee and watch their children play would be ideal.”

The group said that by taking it over and having a space for various community groups to use, the building would hopefully be used more than if a business or specific community group took it on.

It plans to run and encourage social and sports activities.

It also wants to offer volunteering and work experience for people with learning disabilities and other members of the community and also provide local produce in the café.

It is also hopes that the area could be a safe place for people with dementia or those struggling with loneliness to come and make use of the park.

The group is currently looking into grant funding options to help it transform the building.

It will be required to submit a business plan to Northumberland County Council when the tendering process begins.