A NEW sustainable community café and hub in Dorchester has been handed over to its owners ahead of its opening this Spring.

Pavilion in The Park, based on the Great Field in Poundbury, will be operated by The Alcohol Education Trust and will offer locally sourced home baked food, cakes and a wide selection of drinks.

Powered by solar panels, the Pavilion, also know as PiP, has air source heating, reclaimed tiles, paving and wood interior.

Visitors will be able to borrow a book, buy a plant or art by under 25s, or lounge inside or on the veranda while enjoying refreshments overlooking the Great Field while supporting a Dorset charity. There is also a room that will be available to hire for clubs, gatherings or meetings.

The building was handed over by builder C G Fry - which has built at cost price - on Friday, January 15 ready for the site to be fitted out. It is due to open to customers in early April.

There will be an outside ping pong table as well as raised beds and a bird feeding station, with the main adventure play area, being built by The Duchy of Cornwall, opening in Summer 2021.

Dorset Echo: CEO Helena Conibear receiving the keys at hand over. Picture: The Alcohol Education Trust

A spokeswoman for The Alcohol Education Trust explained the charity has raised the funds to complete the Pavilion, housing their office, a community space, public toilets and café. She added the charity is ‘immensely grateful to all those who have made it possible’ including Dorchester Town Council, Dorset Council, Duchy of Cornwall and other individuals and funders.

Helena Conibear, CEO of The Alcohol Education Trust said: “For the last 10 years, The AET has operated out of a garden garage in Frampton so to have a bespoke office, community facing café and meeting space in such a beautiful setting that will attract old and young alike is fantastic for everyone.

“We plan to open in late March or early April, depending on the lockdown and COVID.”

Richard Biggs, Mayor of Dorchester said: “We are delighted that Pavilion in the Park is ready and congratulate the Alcohol Education Trust on their massive achievement.

“Having AET on site at The Great Field means we have a partner to work with to provide the café, play and toilet facilities to park users. We look forward to building our relationship over the years.”

Les Fry, councillor for Dorset Council and Dorchester Town Council, called it a ‘really significant day for Dorchester and the development of the Great Field’ and noted the building will become an ‘important asset to the community in many ways.’

PiP has been created as a not-for-profit social enterprise by the Alcohol Education Trust (AET) a Dorset charity working nationally.

The Alcohol Education Trust is a charity that engages young people of all abilities and backgrounds helping them build resilience skills, to know how to avoid and resist risky situations and to look after themselves and each other in a variety of settings.