THE Orchard Centre in Launceston officially opened its doors to local people and businesses on October 24, breathing new life into the premises.

The new team behind the centre, consisting of Pat Orridge, Matthew White, Mia Giudetti and Graham Verrall, are in the process of upgrading the building and have successfully let all the office space available.

They are currently in negotiations with the Launceston Day Service, whom they hope to welcome to the premises in the very near future. The centre’s cafe will be named The Breslin Cafe, in memory of Bernadette Breslin, who was responsible for setting the building up as a charity to house and support young people and the local community.

Bernadette got a team together to form the Launceston Youth Partnership, which was set up in order to protect and house the Launceston Youth Project. The partnership secured funding from the Tudor Trust to buy the old health centre, before moving into the Orchard Centre in 2003, remaining there ever since.

Mayor, Margaret Young, kindly agreed to officially relaunch the centre by cutting the ribbon at the grand opening. Cllr Young and Launceston Town Council has played a big part in supporting the Launceston Youth Project, which operates from the premises.

The new directors have named the community hall the ‘Margaret Young Community Hall’ in Cllr Young’s honour.

The youth project would welcome more members and additional volunteers. To find out more, email [email protected].

The cafe, kitchen and hall are available to rent most evenings and weekends for community events, children’s parties or group meetings.

Pat Orridge said: “The majority of the inside has been redecorated — mainly by the committee, manager Ellie and Laura, our cleaner — and our community champion, Carol Whibley, has made a huge impact on the overgrown shrubs and weeds, giving the offices some amazing views. Now we need to smarten up the outside to match our lovely new logo and signage, kindly donated by Lee from More Creative Solutions.”

The outgoing committee were invited for tea and cakes, and were presented with cards and a gift, enabling the new directors to pass on their thanks for the many years they have spent managing the building.

Pat continued: “Each of our community or business champions were given a certificate as they have made a significant contribution with their guidance and support. Andrew Simpson of Webbers Estate Agents has supported my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group in the past and when I became involved with the Orchard, I turned to him again! His guidance in the first instance was paramount to how we see the property for the future.

“Phil Wiltshire of Philips Rogers, Wadebridge, has been an immense help with local contacts and guidance, to help us remain compliant with the vast amount of regulations involved with running a building. We are very grateful to them — there are so many things we have to consider in order to be good landlords and the legislation and regulations seemed daunting.

“Now, with their support, the transition for us has been made much smoother — it has been a very steep learning curve, but seeing the building full and more accessible to the local community makes it all worthwhile.

“With the Orchard fully let and income secured, the Launceston Youth Partnership hope that, soon, they will be able to support and offer more youth services in partnership with other agencies. The directors would like to pass on their thanks to all of their supporters.”

Supporting businesses and organisations include Andrew Simpson from Webbers Estate Agents, as well as Julian Whiting from Kernow Fire Consultancy, Claire Hayter — Financial Planning, Emma Gilbert — Buttons Accountancy, Philip Wiltshire — Philips Rogers (Commercial Agents and Chartered Building Surveyors), Kevin Cobbledick — Together Insurance Solutions, Tim Hill — Hills Welding, David Robinson — Stags Estate Agents, Carol Whibley for gardening, Toni Martin for clerking of meetings, More Creative Solutions for signage, Rocks Locks for CCTV maintenance and The Waste Co, and without their help, Pat says the process would have been much more difficult.