Plans to open a hub in Paisley where older people can go for a chat and some coffee and cake have been given the green light by Renfrewshire Council.
Barbara Davey, who runs companion service Olden Goldies, has landed planning permission, subject to conditions, for the project in Well Street.
The aim is to transform the unit into a “warm and comfortable” café environment with space for craft workshops and other entertainment.
The facility will also offer a menu which will be available to the public at limited times during the day for consumption both on and off the premises.
A statement submitted with the application explained: “Olden Goldies is a companion service for the elderly which provides much-needed companionship within the community and a lifeline to older people who for all sorts of reasons are lonely, have lost their confidence to go out alone and just need a friend they can trust.
“One of the key activities that the olden goldies love is going out for ‘coffee and cake’ which is when the biggest change is seen in their mood.
“Some of them are taken out almost every day. However, it’s a repetitive activity which needs to grow to the next level.
“To enhance the value of the service, the need now is for a hub where the companions can take their olden goldies for the social interaction and activity that they are missing and for the all-important ‘coffee and cake’. The unit has been acquired for this purpose.
“The intention with the hub is to create a warm and comfortable café/coffee shop style environment with space included for craft workshops, such as jewellery making, painting and drawing, and other entertainment.”
According to the statement, Olden Goldies is a private business and receives no external funding for the services it provides.
As a result, it intends to offer a menu consisting of hot drinks and food, such as toasties, sandwiches, pastries, soup and rolls, which will also be available to the public at certain times of the day.
A report of handling by the chief planning officer shed light on the council’s reasons for giving the project the go ahead.
It said: “As the development was previously a retail unit and the proposed site is a commercial area, the change of use to a café would bring the unit back into use and would protect the livelihood of the neighbourhood by bringing business into the area.”
In its official decision notice, the local authority confirmed the proposal was in line with the provisions of the development plan.
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