Drop in for a chat and a brew

A community hub in Layton is thriving with plenty of activities to keep its members busy.
Knitting Club and Vinyl Club at Layton Community House.  Volunteer Peter Higginbottom.Knitting Club and Vinyl Club at Layton Community House.  Volunteer Peter Higginbottom.
Knitting Club and Vinyl Club at Layton Community House. Volunteer Peter Higginbottom.

Located on Grenfell Avenue, just off Layton high street, Layton Community House runs a range of clubs throughout the week.

Pete Mercer, who manages Layton Community House, said: “A number of years ago the council bought the property from Sure Start to start a children’s project.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, after a while cuts were implemented and the centre closed down.

“Not wanting the space to go to waste two local councillors approached me with the idea to start a community centre for adults.

“Having just retired the week before I got straight to work decorating the property and managing to get new carpets and furnishings for the space.

“I even opened a garden which wasn’t there the year before.

“The idea for the space was to create a welcoming environment where anybody felt comfortable enough to drop on by for a chat or a cup of tea and we now run a handful of regular events.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our most popular event would definitely be the crafts groups we run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

“On one of the days we have women’s knitting where we supply clothing for premature babies at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

“We also knit poppies for a church in Poulton.”

Layton Community House also has a room where people can drop in for one to one counselling sessions courtesy of the mental health charity MIND.

Pete added: “On a busy week we can see around 150 different people come through the house and we love seeing that number grow with popular events such as the barbecues which I’m really proud to host in our garden.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We won a Blackpool in Bloom award for the garden, which was great.”

If anyone would like to stop by the Community House, Pete says new members are always welcome.

Pete added: “The house is a drop in every day for anyone who wants a drink and a chat!”

And if you want to support the charity you can donate at www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/layton-community-house

* Events coming up at Layton Community House:

Layton Community House Summer BBQ noon today.

New Men’s Group - Monday evening once a month, 7pm-9pm

Tea and Coffee Morning, Tuesdays throughout the month

Layton House Buffet – third Thursday of every month

Philosophy Cafe – third Tuesday of every month 7pm-9pm

Vinyl Record Group - Monday evenings, 7pm-9pm

Crafts Groups – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday every week