PEOPLE using St John’s Parish Rooms in Devizes are enjoying the results of a major facelift of its kitchen.

It has undergone a complete £19,000 refit and the new facility has brought the Long Street venue right up to date.

One of its main users is Devizes Opendoor, which supports homeless and vulnerable adults in the town and provides hot meals three times a week for those visiting its drop-in sessions at the hall.

The kitchen refurbishment was paid for by a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund and £5,000 from Devizes Area Board, with the remainder coming from St John’s Church funds.

The Rector, the Rev Canon Paul Richardson, said the kitchen had needed an overhaul.

He said: “The previous kitchen was put in in 1990 by two wonderful handymen in our congregation.

“Devizes Opendoor was feeding as many as 20 people at a time during its sessions and the kitchen was getting a real hammering. Twenty three years was good service and it had come to the end of its life. We desperately needed a new kitchen that had the capacity to feed large numbers of people.”

The new kitchen has three ovens and a six-burner hob, plus a considerable number of fitted cupboards, an extra fridge and a boiling water tap. It was fitted by Devizes Fine Kitchens.

The new kitchen was blessed on September 1 by assistant curate Jacqui Clark.

Mr Richardson said: “That was the first time the congregation had seen the kitchen and they were amazed by it. It’s now the envy of every member of the congregation. Devizes Opendoor are delighted with the new kitchen and now we have a state-of-the-art kitchen for all users.”

The work follows a makeover of the main hall and the addition of new toilets and showers.