A new coffee shop has opened its doors in the hope it can help the community in more ways than one.

Thetford & Brandon Times: The Harvest Centre. Picture: Simon ParkerThe Harvest Centre. Picture: Simon Parker (Image: Archant)

Run by a team of volunteers, The Drove Coffee House has been launched as a place for people to meet one another and chat over a hot drink.

Based at the Harvest Centre, a full gospel church on Fengate Drove, Weeting, near Brandon, the coffee shop will also give 30pc of its proceeds to charities and organisations within the local area.

“It is a way to help the community as a church,” said pastoral assistant Samuele Corciulo. “Among our core values is to be good to the community we are in and we like to find a way to give to the people who live around us.

“It is a place for people to come and have a cup of coffee and get to know other people.”

Thetford & Brandon Times: Lin Scott, Pat Parish and Val Stroud who are volunteers at The Drove Coffee House which has opened at the Harvest Centre in Weeting, near Brandon. Picture: Samuele CorciuloLin Scott, Pat Parish and Val Stroud who are volunteers at The Drove Coffee House which has opened at the Harvest Centre in Weeting, near Brandon. Picture: Samuele Corciulo (Image: Archant)

The result of a 12-month project to transform an empty room into the cafe, it now boasts leather couches, fabric benches and wooden tables.

Most of the work was undertaken by members of the church’s congregation and using donated and upcycled materials.

There is a selection of homemade cakes and a range of coffees and teas in addition to hot chocolate, milkshakes and soft drinks.

“There was a desire to open a space where people from the town could come in and see what we do,” said Mr Corciulo, who has worshipped at the church for two years.

“We are not forcing anything on people, it is a relaxed atmosphere. But if they want to go deeper into what we believe and stand for then we are here for them.”

The church is currently involved with a long-term project in Uganda.

The congregation of 65 recently helped to raise £1,000, and Pastor Ken Stroud is currently in the village of Kuffu where the money is helping to pay for a medical professionals to visit the village to treat the community and supply medicines.

Money from the coffee shop proceeds has gone towards helping this project. The proceeds from the next few months will go towards the Brandon Day Centre.

The Drove Coffee House is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3pm until 7pm, and on Sundays before and after service, from 9am until 10am and 12pm until 1pm.

For more information visit the church’s website.