A POPULAR arts venue has reopened its doors in Pershore after months of temporary closure due to lockdown measures.

Volunteers welcomed customers back to Number 8 in Pershore on Tuesday.

The centre’s coffee bar and gallery space will now be open Monday to Friday mornings, with screenings and event cinema set to restart from Thursday, September 17.

Emma Bangham, programme manager at Number 8 says, “We’re so happy to be welcoming back our customers, and volunteers. It’s been a difficult time for everyone but we’re very fortunate to have such strong support.

"We’ve had lots of incredibly kind messages from customers saying how much they miss coming to Number 8 and how excited they are that we’re reopening.

"Staff and volunteers have worked together to put measures in place to ensure that we can reopen safely. We’ve had to make a number of changes to how we do things and what we offer but we’re determined to continue providing a vibrant programme of arts and entertainment, and space for the community to get together for creative or leisure activities … or even just a coffee and a chat!”

She added: “The support from our volunteers has been fantastic, they were all really keen to return and are enjoying getting back to their roles and catching up with friends and customers.

"It’s been so lovely to have the team back together after so many months apart.”

The Number 8 gallery space has reopened with the exhibition A Pershore QuARTet featuring the work of four artists from the collective Pershore Arts.

A new programme of screenings has also been announced with an exciting array of films and event cinema screenings lined up for the coming weeks.

For more details see www.number8.org or contact Number 8 Box Office on 01386 555048.