WORK is set to begin on the interior of a youth drop-in centre. It was hoped the Hub, in The Lane, Manningtree, would open during the summer holidays.

But the youth centre’s committee has only just obtained the keys for the building, a former shop, and work needs to be done inside before it can be used.

Malcolm Westwood, chairman, said: “We are going to build a coffee bar and there will be tables and comfortable chairs.

“Because we were late getting the keys, many of the volunteers are now on holiday. We are hoping to get started with the carpentry work next week.

“It was hoped we would open halfway through the holidays, but we are now hoping to be open just as soon as we can.”

Organisers got permission from Tendring Council in March to change the shop into a drop-in centre.