Centre Stage launch party

The completely refurbished building on London Road Bexhill had, up until it's closure last year, been the Salvation Army Citadel for over 114 years.

After cutting the ribbon Major Gray said that she had been sad when she had locked up the premises last year, never envisaging that a year later she would be on hand to assist with opening it up again. In a speech she said that the Citadel had been opened all those years ago by, " The Glory of God as a place where salvationists could worship and from which they could serve the community. I am very pleased that the community can now carry on using the building."

Popping the cork on a bottle of champagne, new proprietor Debbie Hayes was delighted to report that half the premises were already rented out to people offering dance, leisure and well-being services. Her said that her vision for Centre Stage was to give back the building to the community and that the launch party was the "celebration of new life."

The evening was held in aid of local charity, Bexhill Young Peoples Services (who will be holding a weekly youth club at Centre Stage) with almost 500 being raised.

For more information on Centre Stage visit the website at: www.centrestagelive.com or call (01424) 893819.