There is a new place in Bootle where people can drop anchor for a coffee, chat and enjoy meeting others from the community.

The Hub Coffee Shop opened at Goddard Hall recently and, besides offering homemade food with gluten-free cakes, Weight Watchers recipe meals and vegetarian food, it is the SSAFA Bootle base for veterans.

There is a complimentary breakfast for veterans on a Wednesday when all they need to bring is proof of service. At other times, there  is advice for serving and former service personnel and their families.

But the Hub is also there for anyone in the community with plans to install computers to make use of the free wi-fi. Suzannah Mitton, who co-ordinated the CCG VCF-funded SSAFA Bootle project, used long-forgotten pieces of pottery and furnitute from storage within the hall, as well as donated items, to rejuvenate the coffee shop.

“We have only been open a week and people are already coming in. I need volunteers to help finish the final touches and a veteran has offered to do some painting. Any money raised from the Hub coffee shop will go towards the complimentary breakfast for veterans,” says Suzannah.

The Hub Coffee Shop is open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and is at 297 Knowsley Road, at the corner with Linacre Road, Bootle.