A 220-year-old Worsley church has been transformed into a coffee shop and house.
The former Worsley Methodist Church on Barton Road was founded in 1801 and operated as a functioning church until its doors closed back in 2011.
Renovation work began in 2022 and was completed earlier this year.
The £600,000 was used to transform the church into the coffee shop and rented two-bedroom house.
Paul Sweeney, director of developer Sandywood Property, said: “I felt the building needed to be something that was put back to the community so everybody could enjoy it.”
Planning permission to create four apartments was obtained when the church was originally purchased.
However, Sandywood Property decided against the idea as the historic elements of the church which are now key features of the coffee shop, including the organ, pulpit and original balcony, would have been lost during the demolition.
Mr Sweeney continued: “We have struck a good balance between keeping the church as original as we can, so when people visit they can see the church for what it would have been 200 years ago while also bringing it into the 21st century.”
The coffee shop celebrates all things Worsley, with detailed artwork of maps of the area, from freelance artist Tim Scott George decorating the space.
Worsley Coffee Co opened in October, with 800 cups of coffee being sold to customers in just the opening weekend.
Additional seating has been added at there are plans to expand into the upstairs balcony.
“When I first decided on making the church into a coffee shop everybody thought I was mad and told me it wouldn’t work,” Sweeney added.
“So to see the shop needing extra seating areas to accommodate for the volume of customers so soon after opening is a very nice feeling.”
The coffee shop’s menu will feature the seasonal favourite mulled wine.
Worsley Coffee Co. is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch alongside its vast range of hot and cold drinks.
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