A Bury community café, opened recently to combat loneliness and poverty, has extended its open hours due to overwhelming demand.

The Salvation Army’s Brookshaw Street café, opening just last month, saw a surge in need so it added an additional day to its schedule.

Originally, the café was open from 11am to 2pm every Tuesday, but will now also operate on Thursdays from 10.30am to 1pm.

These increased hours prompted by the community response serve hot and cold refreshments for the small charge of fifty pence to alleviate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with toast also up for grabs on Thursdays at just £1.

Captain Cor van der Woude, the church leader of The Salvation Army in Bury, said: "The idea of the community café was born from our urge to create a safe and friendly place for people within our community to meet, build friendships and find new opportunities.

"Already, after just a month of opening, we have welcomed various people through our doors who share with us what a joy it is to have somewhere to come and feel welcome."

But Cpt van der Woude acknowledged that the café's limited hours initially excluded some people.

He said: "But commitments on certain days for some mean that some people were missing out.

"So we have listened, and extended our opening for an extra day during the week to accommodate."

He emphasised that the extension is crucial to supporting those experiencing hardship.

He added: "We know that people are continuing to live in challenging times and that can make them feel lonely and isolated.

"This also extends to the people within our homeless community, who experience their own vulnerabilities."

The community café, staffed by a team of volunteers and overseen by the church leaders, doesn't just provide affordable food.

The team offers practical support for those struggling, ensuring information about other services is available.

Through extending opening hours, the café is reaching out an arm to more people in shared hard times, creating a safe place amidst daily uncertainty.