PLANS have been put forward to convert a former bar and restaurant in Newquay town centre into a place of worship and community space.

Blaze Church has submitted a change of use planning application to transform the Wax Newquay Activity Bar in Central Square.

Plans for the former Lloyds bank building include using the ground floor for a meeting and community space, while the first floor would accommodate activity rooms, toilets, and offices.

The planning application states: “As a Christian church, we believe that the love of God in Jesus Christ should have both an individual and a social impact.

“We therefore love community and believe it finds its power to exist, its fullest expression and its total purpose in the context of worshipping God.

“Isolation is both a national epidemic and one of the most hidden needs in our society. We see the use of this building as a place to combat loneliness and isolation, and to facilitate the continuing formation of a genuine community that stretches across generational, cultural, ethnic and social divides. A place where all are welcome to belong, where all are respected and honoured, where all are seen and heard, and where all are safe to be open and vulnerable.

“Blaze Church is currently fully funded by donations from within its community, and a certain amount of the proposed uses of the building will be able to be funded in this way. However, owning a building brings many new costs, and many new opportunities to serve which also bring new costs. As such, we are seeking funding for several things.

“The building is in quite a dilapidated state and requires some fairly serious work to get it into a usable condition. This may include replacing the roof, replacing all doors and windows, new flooring, installation of a commercial kitchen, bringing the electrics, heating and fire safety up to code, and potentially much more.

“We recognise that in order to use the building to its full potential we will need to employ one or two full-time members of staff. We see this role as including aspects of building management, but the majority of the focus being on running and facilitating community-building activities and events, alongside existing staff and volunteers.

“We want to ensure that the growing community really is a safe space for all who come in, so we are committed to meeting, and going above and beyond, all the legal requirements regarding DBS checks and safeguarding.

“We will need funding to ensure all leaders, staff and volunteers have a full background check and high-quality training, and that all safeguarding leads have advanced training.”

The changes are due to incorporate several community benefits, including a potential free baby and toddler group, youth groups and clubs as well as a free drop-off service for school children.

A spokesperson for Blaze Church said: “There are many ideas circulating around our community for the practical ways in which the building could serve the town, but here are some of the ones that seem most fitting with our vision and most within reach.

“A free babies and toddlers playgroup with volunteers responsible for looking after the children while parents and guardians are able to have a break and a hot drink elsewhere in the building, with the potential to access parental support and training at times.

“A free drop-off service for out of school children from Foundation to Year 6.

“This would be run with trained SEN teachers and assistants in an environment tailored for children with additional needs in order to allow parents to continue to work and to give the child a positive experience and the potential to continue their learning while more permanent educational placements are found.

“A free after-school club for all ages that would include games, snacks, and homework help.

“A youth group that meets weekly for all children between year 7 and 13 with the purpose of supporting young people’s development, building relationships and friendships among them, and teaching them about Jesus.

“Social nights of varying kinds that are open to all, refreshments served and different activities offered such as crafts, games, quizzes, movie nights etc.

“A drop in and chat service offering a relaxed environment for anyone to come in, have a hot drink and a friendly conversation.

“A venue for teaching and training of various kinds. We will offer courses that teach about Jesus, marriage, parenting and more, but it will also be a space available for other services to use in their teaching and training.

“A meeting location for the people we visit through our befriending service, Two’s Company. These individuals are some of the most lonely and isolated people in our town, and their need is hidden. There are many people we see each week, and many more on a waiting list. This building would serve as a way to see more people, but also to build relationships between them in order to further combat their isolation.”