A former police station, which is home to local charities and voluntary groups, has opened its doors to the public after an extensive refurbishment.

The historic building in Stortford Road, Great Dunmow, Essex, was one of several identified for closure and sale as part of the Essex Police Reform programme.

Now, after the hard work of local charity representatives, the building has been purchased and renovated for continued use by local voluntary groups.

Charities based at the newly christened Uttlesford Community Hub include: West Essex Mind; the Council for Voluntary Services Uttlesford; Voluntary Sector Training; Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services; Crossroads Care East Anglia; and Uttlesford Carers.

The community facility was officially opened today by Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, and local Paralympian and Boccia champion Dan Bentley.

Mr Alston said: “I must say ‘well done’ to all of those who have been involved in this fantastic project.

“This was a great opportunity to put this building back into the use it was meant for and for which it is most appropriate – and that is for the community.

“It is a real privilege to be invited back here to see the excellent work that has been done

“The voluntary sector has such a crucial role to play in society and it is excellent to offer them support in this way and for them to have such a central home at the heart of Dunmow.”

The new Uttlesford Community Hub also now has a café, better disabled access and is open to the whole community from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The former police station has been home to several charities since 2010, after the former Essex Police Authority granted them a five-year lease.

However, in order to secure the long term future of the building as a community asset and to expand the services offered there, the charities approached the Police and Crime Commissioner with the proposal to purchase the former station with the help of a government grant.