A community centre kitchen has undergone a complete transformation after receiving more than £20,000 in grant funding. 

Blackwell Community Hall has officially opened the doors to its new kitchen giving residents the chance to view the renovation work and learn about plans to provide more services from the hall. 

The kitchen was previously described as almost "unusable" but following a £21,424 grant from the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the site has been completely transformed into a welcoming space for residents to host community events. 

Member of the Blackwell Community Hall Committee, Terry Pauley, said: "The kitchen at Blackwell Community Hall had for several years been almost unusable having running water but not much else. 

"To be able to install a commercial-grade kitchen has totally transformed not just that one room, but the building as a whole.

"It will greatly expand what the village and surrounding area can use the building for and make us a much more attractive venue to hire which brings in much-needed revenue to cover day-to-day running."

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The brand-new kitchen at Blackwell Community Hall The brand-new kitchen at Blackwell Community Hall (Image: Bromsgrove District Council)

The funding for the project was arranged and delivered through Bromsgrove District Council's UKSPF team with residents coming together to celebrate its opening by hosting a coffee morning featuring homemade cakes donated by the community. 

Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, Sue Baxter, said: "The investment that the Blackwell Community Hall has received will go a long way to helping the residents of the area have a space to gather and host community events. 

"The funding received from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for this project and others is making a real difference to our local communities."