A NEW community cafe is set to open in the market town.

The first session of the cafe will take place on May 4 at Romsey Baptist Church in Bell street from 10am until noon.

The cafe will take place on the first Saturday of every month and has been set up by the mission team at the church.

Bronwen Clemons, 50, a mission team leader, has been spearheading the new community group.

She said: “Although we have a popular toddler group on a Wednesday and a group for breast feeding mums, we have a lovely church which could be used by community groups.

“The community cafe is aimed at all ages and will take place in the church hall which can accommodate more than 50 people.

“The aim of the group is to reach out to lonely people, whether that be an elderly person, a single parent or a younger person, anyone and everyone is welcome.

“There are groups that run throughout the week but not on the weekend.

“Weekends can be a really tricky time for people who are feeling lonely so I feel a group like this will be really beneficial for lots of people.”

There will be children’s toys, tea and coffee for guests to enjoy.

Town centre manager Mark Edgerley said: “It’s important that we recognise there are people in our community who feel lonely for many different reasons, I very much welcome this initiative by the Romsey Baptist Church to provide a drop-in café for people to spend time in. A safe, non-commercial environment, as they leave the café, we hope they will explore the town a little, perhaps with new friends, to enjoy the wider benefits of living in Romsey.”