ABERGELE Men’s Shed has secured a grant of £499,996 from the National Lottery People and Places Community Programme.

The grant is to undertake the refurbishment of their building at the rear of Market Street in Abergele.

When the refurbishment is complete, the two-storey building will provide two ground floor workshops, and a community space at first floor level.

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Abergele Men’s Shed spokesperson, Doug Jackson, said: “This project has been four years in the making.

“We wanted a permanent base and bought the derelict building which has been an eyesore to Abergele since the 1980s.

“We expect work will begin in the spring and completed by the end of this year. 

“We are indebted to the local community who have supported this project, advising on its development and who will now see a return for the lottery tickets they have purchased over the years.

“We are also grateful to the National Lottery who understand the benefit this will bring to the Abergele community and funded plans for this development.”

Abergele Men’s Shed is one of 80 similar organisations in Wales.

It is a charity providing support and activity for older gentlemen to use their lifetime of skills to give something back to their community.

The Abergele shed was founded in 2015 in a wooden shed on a car park at the rear of Itica; since then, it has had two separate temporary bases.

Throughout, the group has helped many people and groups in Abergele by carrying out repairs, upcycling and making garden furniture.

Wherever possible, their work is done with recycled materials.

Currently, it is based on Tayna Business Park in two small workshops they helped restore.

The group meets every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and welcome anybody who would like to help their community or learn new skills.