SHOP WILL GIVE TASTE OF THINGS TO COME...

JESUS ARMY TO OPEN 'MINI DROP-IN CENTRE' NEXT TO DISUSED CINEMA

Source : 23/07/2001 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

A shop has been opened by the Jesus Army in Northampton to precede the conversion of the former Canon Cinema into a drop-in centre.

The shop, in Lower Mounts, is just two doors from the art-deco town centre building, and a team of volunteers is using it as a pilot centre to gauge interest and prepare for the opening proper.

The former cinema has been empty since 1995 and the religious sect acquired planning permission last year for the conversion into a place of worship, social activities and a drop in centre.

John Campbell, spokesman for the Jesus Army, which is based at Nether Heyford, said the completion date for the conversion of the former cinema was still up in the air.

He said: 'We had planned to have the centre opened by this summer but once we got access to the building a number of problems we didn't expect came to light.'

'We are working through them and hope to open the centre early next year.'

Meanwhile, the shop will open fully from today, with a ground floor information and help desk.

The pilot Jesus Centre will provide a listening service, with information on life skills, IT training and also provides haircuts.

A coffee bar will be open in the mornings and the evenings. The centre will be open weekdays from 10am to 5pm and in the evenings 6:30pm to 9pm, except Tuesdays.