The new community café and health and wellbeing leisure facility – Bean Good at The Chai Centre – was officially opened on Thursday 3rd November, saving the community building in the heart of Stoneyholme from potential closure from funding cuts earlier this year.
The café and gym is a joint partnership between Calico Enterprise and Burnley Leisure Trust, and the project has been supported by local businesses, MPs and Councillors.
The facilities which are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm include a women’s only gym with a timetable of classes and steam room, and the Bean Good café, serving fresh Mediterranean cuisine in a Halal kitchen.
Meals are served from 11am-2pm Monday to Friday and cost £3; anyone wishing to pay over the suggested amount will receive a token for a free meal with the aim that it is passed to someone in the community.
Councillor Azhar Ali and Shadow Health Minister Julie Cooper were in attendance at the opening event, having played an instrumental role in helping to keep the centre open for the community.
Julie Cooper, Shadow Health Minister & Burnley MP commented: “I am delighted to attend the official opening of the new and improved Chai Centre after a long and determined fight to save it from closure. This is a perfect example of what can be achieved when communities, local businesses and organisations and politicians all work together with a positive mind-set and a ‘can-do approach. So many Burnley constituents have told me how much this centre means to them and their families and have described it as a ‘life-line’. I am delighted for them that they will now benefit from this improved facility.”
Councillor Azhar Ali commented: “I am delighted that Lancashire County Council could invest monies in this project to ensure the healthy living centre could continue. A lot of hard work by the local community and all partners including Lancashire Care Foundation Trust and Calico has resulted in the opening of this fantastic facility which will play a vital role in improving the health & wellbeing of the local community.”
For more information about Bean Good at The Chai Centre or any of the facilities available please call 01282 628530.
