Praise for new community hub

A new hub of services in Holbeach has been welcomed by members of the community at its official opening.

The facility in Fleet Street brings together a community library, pharmacy and post office following a £1.2 million investment by Lincolnshire Co-op.

A Lincolnshire Co-op food store is also part of the hub and was the first stage in its development.

Councillors, volunteers, store colleagues and community members gathered to watch Lincolnshire Co-op Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter, President Stuart Parker and Lincolnshire County Councillor Nick Worth lead the official opening ceremony.

Mr Parker said: "We are delighted to welcome Holbeach Library and its army of volunteers into the hub.

"We have more than doubled the number of library users to 824 last week, and many are using the service for the first time."

The community library, which moved from its previous home in Church Street, features a children's area, self-serve machine and 4,000 books to choose from. It's the third community library to be supported by Lincolnshire Co-op.

Volunteer at the new library Dr Marian Hartigan said: "It is wonderful that it is a hub - it is bringing people together. I was on duty on Thursday and we signed up 12 new people.

"We have got good parking, that is an advantage as well."

The food store boasts an instore bakery, Costa Coffee machine and an improved chilled range.

Customers using the post office, which has moved from High Street, benefit from three serving counters and extended opening hours.

The pharmacy is double the size of its previous site, also in High Street, and has two purpose built consultation rooms and a separate privacy counter.

A hamper of food is being donated to local homelessness charity Framework as part of the official opening of the hub. The charity is one of Lincolnshire Co-op's current Community Champions.