A NEW venture in a former department store in Cirencester opened to the public today.

The smell of good food and the sound of conversation filled the old House of Fraser department store in the Market Place as The Grace Network embarked on a soft launch in the building.

Cirencester’s House of Fraser store closed in 2019 as the high-street staple shut dozens of stores across the country.

The building has now reopened as a community hub with a food enterprise plus outlets selling second-hand furniture, preowned children’s gear and refurbished and new bikes.

Four community interest companies will initially be housed in the centre - the Long Table food hub, the Home Remedy furniture outlet, Kids Stuff, which will sell donated children's clothing and toys, and the Bike Drop cycle centre.

Run by social enterprise hub The Grace Network, which has a successful site in the Stroud area, there will also be a central ‘cloister’ area where members of the public can meet up plus a library and an event space.

Adrian Beere, a co-leader of the Cirencester Grace Network, described the launch as ‘absolutely incredible’.

“It's been a couple of years to try and secure the building, get it open and bring it to life, and considering this is our soft launch, the reaction from the public has been amazing,” he said.

“I don't think we could have imagined the response from the local community here.”

“This brings something totally different to the middle of town.”

Mr Beere added that it is hoped that other businesses will form part of the building in the future, including a creche.

Currently, The Bike Drop will sell new and refurbished bikes while also offering servicing and repairs, free assessments and training.

Meanwhile, the Long Table is an eatery and gathering place where hot meals are served on a pay-as-you-can basis.

Home Remedy will restore, repurpose and sell home items while also offering support to people who have been referred for help.

In addition, Kids Stuff will sell donated children’s and family goods including toys, books and kids’ clothes, with profits reinvested to support more families.

The old House of Fraser building was initially Frederick Boulton before becoming Rackhams and being acquired by House of Fraser in 1975.

The Grace Network officially signed its lease for the building on August 21 and had its key handover on August 23.

Donations of bikes, furniture and children’s items for the community hub are requested.

For full details see monasteryandco.org.uk