Gorgie-Dalry church plans cafe and community hub

PARISH leaders in Gorgie-Dalry have unveiled plans to turn a church building into a cafe and community hub.

Ministers at Gorgie-Dalry Parish Church said they hoped to transform their secondary building in Dalry Road into “an inclusive open-door community space where all are welcomed and valued”.

They plan to have the centre open by the end of May.

Church elder Sandy Gemmill said: “The aim is to create a welcoming space in the Gorgie and Dalry community for folk who would appreciate that sort of opportunity to gather. The centre could also serve people with special needs or people in bad situations.

“The coffee and fair trade facility would start the process. But longer term, there could be things like Alpha courses, student events such as cooking classes, and even a student cafe.”

He added: “We could even use it as a teaching facility for youngsters – showing them how fair trade and things like that work.”