An Ipswich community centre has brought a coffee shop, barber, cab service and Jamaican food stall under its roof as part of its expansion vision and offering to young people.

Murrayside Community Centre manager Martin Cherrington has taken on the centre from Suffolk County Council on a 99-year lease and recently decided to add a new two-storey building and shake up the layout of the current centre.

This has been made possible after the centre received a slice of a £1.3 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) Social Impact Bond that looks to aid youth engagement through sports and physical education. 

Mr Cherrington was able to this work with a £1.3m grant from the DCMS.Mr Cherrington was able to do this work with a £1.3m grant from the DCMS. (Image: Shikhar Talwar) Mr Cherrington said: "I wanted to give back to the community through this.

"Through the Ipswich Boxing Club, I have seen how boxing can help young people, and I think we have a real opportunity here to grow this space to help the people in this area."

The new building is set to be completed by April next year.The new building is set to be completed by April next year. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)  The new building is set to be completed by April next year and will house Ipswich Boxing Club, a dance studio and a gym.

Meanwhile, the front of the current building will be converted into a cafe, with the help of baristas at Coffee Link. 

The centre will also have space for basketball teams and other sports clubs, as well as a hot press for printing on shirts. 

The coffee shope is currently being made with the assistance of Coffee Link.The coffee shop is currently being made with the assistance of Coffee Link. (Image: Shikhar Talwar) They also have rooms for young people to play in. They also have rooms for young people to play in. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)  The centre rooms will also host a space for young people, and community police surgeries and provide a space for other community groups to meet.

Meanwhile, the current centre has already begun acting as a space for independent businesses such as the newly established IP Express Cab service, a barber shop and a Jamaican food kitchen. 

A Jamaican food stall occupies the kitchen.A Jamaican food stall occupies the kitchen. (Image: Shikhar Talwar) An independent baber has also moved into the centre. An independent barber has also moved into the centre. (Image: Shikhar Talwar) Mr Cherrington hopes that these businesses can help the young people in the community centre.

For example, IP Express' Kush Ullah and Mamun Miah said that their cabs are focused on doing school runs and looking to train and employ young people from the centre to be passenger assistants.

"We are trying to do something different, we want to support young people, and think that this is an amazing place to do it," he added. 

Mamum Miah's IP Express have also set up their office at the community centre.Mamun Miah's IP Express have also set up their office at the community centre. (Image: Shikhar Talwar) The centre has also recieved support from Cllr Ruman Muhith. The centre has also received support from Cllr Ruman Muhith. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)  The centre has also been supported by Priory Heath Councillor Ruman Muhith, who praised Mr Cherrington and the work being done at the site, saying it was reminiscent of how the centre used to be when he was a child.

Cllr Muhith added: "When all is said and done, and as activities continue to grow and thrive, Murrayside Community Centre will once again become the heartbeat of Priory Heath.

"They never set out to tackle gang-related issues or anti-social behaviour among youth, but organically, they are making a positive impact, and that’s something we can all be proud of."