A LONG-RUNNING community café has re-opened in Alloa last week after more than a year in lockdown.

The Gate Charity's community café has welcomed guests back last Friday, May 7, after a nearly 14 month hiatus due to Covid-19.

The café is looking to prevent and alleviate food poverty while offering people, many of whom have been stuck in the house for months, an opportunity to socialise.

Restrictions are of course still in place with social distancing measures to protect everyone, but last week's re-opening marked a welcome step toward normality.

Marie Brownhill, centre manager at The Gate, was "ecstatic" to start the weekly café up again.

She told the Advertiser: "We've had many people in touch, just feeling really socially isolated, not having the connections with the community because they are stuck in the house seven days a week.

"People are feeling a bit more reassured at the moment because we've got social distancing in place, most people have had their vaccines so things are starting to improve."

Marie and the team are doing what they can to offer a safe opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and some company, even if it is not quite the same experience as it was before March 2020.

There is a brand new menu on offer and the café has started offering its meals and treats for takeaway as well.

Tables inside are much more spaced apart than before, face masks must be worn until seated, track and trace arrangements are in place and there are fewer volunteers on-site due to the space available, five instead of the usual nine.

Marie said: "I was ecstatic, absolutely delighted [to re-open] and so were the customers, really pleased."

Returning to the café on the re-opening day was one of The Gate's loyal regulars Graeme.

He said on the day: "This place, it was the best thing I ever found out, I am really enjoying it."

The Gate's community café will be open each Friday between 12noon and 1.30pm with affordable prices and delicious meals on the sit-in menu.

The takeaway offering includes sandwiches and wraps, cornflake cakes and fruit baskets.

Deliveries for lunches at workplaces are also available in Alloa only, people can call 01259 218 766 by 11am on the day.