A DAWLISH church has expanded its community offering with the opening of a new cafe.

Hope Cafe is open four days a week currently since its recent launch with the aim of adding to Hope Church’s connection with the wider community. 

The church has already welcomed staff and pupils from Kenton School made homeless after flood damage.

Now the cafe, which serves food from local suppliers, is open to everyone. 

Operations manager at Hope Church Sara Jones explained: ‘We are really excited to be launching Hope Cafe which offers a window to this wonderful community building. 

‘At the moment the building is housing Kenton School while it is being rebuilt after the floods. 

‘Going forward, this building is a real opportunity for the whole community to meet where we already meet as a church. 

‘It’s an opportunity for other organisations to meet and use this cafe.’

Cafe manager Mike Atkinson is in charge of preparing the food and making cakes, scones and pastries. 

He says he is using local suppliers and wants to create a healthy menu. 

The cafe is currently open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Tuesday to Friday but these hours may extend if there is demand. 

Construction of the Hope Building in Swift Road was completed in May 2022 and became the home of the renamed Hope Church, previously Dawlish Christian Fellowship. 

Kenton School currently occupies the top floor of the building while other rooms are available for hire.