A NEW community hub striving towards ‘making Colwyn Bay a better place’ is to open in the town this weekend.

‘@20’, at 20 Station Road, Colwyn Bay, is to celebrate its unveiling on Saturday, December 11 between 10am and 4pm.

The property, originally a fruit and vegetable shop and fishmonger’s, has been purchased by Antioch, a North Wales group which is part of the Evangelical Alliance.

The Evangelical Alliance aims to promote evangelical Christian beliefs in government, media and society.

Joyce Trueman, from Antioch, said: “As a church, Antioch began its life in 2000, wanting to play its part to bless our community.

“Over the years we have had so many adventures, including having a double-decker bus which we used as a place for young people to meet.

“We are transferring some of the things we have been doing in our church building into ‘@20’, making them more accessible: Community Money Advice; Red Cross drop-in; a place for young people to meet, Youth Shedz Creative days, to name just a few.

“We were excited but also apprehensive, taking on a property with damp problems, no heating and a lot of work needed to be done!

“As COVID-19 retreats, we will be welcoming more people and organisations, and we are also looking forward to working with other Colwyn Bay churches.

“From the very beginning, we knew how important it was to join with others to work towards making Colwyn Bay a better place.

“We also want to thank all those people who have journeyed with us: designing, advising, working, supporting and encouraging us. We are calling our building: ‘@20 – Room For Everyone’.”

Other examples of community work Antioch has undertaken include hosting the area’s Credit Union for 15 years, running a fruit and vegetable co-operative, holding clothes swaps, training some of its church family as debt advisors, and buying an old bus to use as a youth venue.

Councillor Abdul Khan, chairman of Conwy County Borough Council, will be attending the open day on Saturday to celebrate the community endeavour’s new premises.

Cllr Khan said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to attend the @20 open day on Saturday, and I’m looking forward to meeting all those involved who’ve been working tirelessly for the betterment of our community.”

For more information, visit: www.antioch.co.uk/number-20.