From pub to Christian community hub

South East Cornwall Christian Charity spent three months renovating the run down building, formerly the Decker pub, in East Looe before opening earlier in the month as the Rusty Bucket Christian Resource Centre.

The community project is rooted in the charity’s desire to love, serve and invest in the local community.

Paul Penhaligon, chair of the charity, told local paper the Cornish Guardian: “We felt very strongly that most people who come across Christians do so when they’re trying to sell them a raffle ticket to fix a roof.

“We wanted to come out into the town, which allows us to serve the community and provide a facility that hasn’t previously existed.”

He wants people to feel comfortable at the centre, which uses local and free range produce.

“We’re not encouraging people to leave when they’ve finished their coffee,” he said.

“They can stay and read a paper all day if they like.”

The building comprises of two floors which the charity will be opening up for use by local groups. A local bridge club has already expressed an interest in using the premises for their meetings.

Penhaligon is also in talks with the local school to open on Friday and Saturday nights to provide young people with a place to hang out.

“We’re working with the school to open on Friday and Saturday nights in the autumn so young people who are too old for a youth club and don’t want to be told what to do have somewhere to go as long as they treat us and the shop with respect,” he said.