Stafford's Salvation Army centre open again after devastating arson attack
It is back to business for bosses at a Christian community centre - 11 months on from a devastating fire.
The keys to the newly built Salvation Army base in Faraday Road, Stafford, have been handed over.
The original centre was destroyed in an arson attack last year.
The new £310,000 building features new vinyl flooring, wooden beams and freshly painted walls, creating a bright interior.
Linda Downward, officer in charge of the centre, said: "It is a real milestone for us. The centre looks amazing, so much better than we could have expected.
"It has been rebuilt on the same footprint, but it feels more spacious and it is truly a place worthy of worship now. It feels magnificent."
Following the devastating attack on the well used centre, the rebuild began in February, costing £60,000 more than first hoped.
The original estimate to rebuild the gutted centre was £250,000 but a full investigation into the scale of the damage took the cost to around £310,000.
While the group were insured for the cost of the exterior work, they were under-insured for the refurbishment of the interior.
The group had to replace everything including the piano, seating and kitchen utensils.
However, donations have flooded in from local businesses and the public to ensure the centre is ready and community groups will be invited back to the centre next month.
Mrs Downward added: "I feel very relived and very happy but there's still a few things to do before all our groups can move back in and the centre is active again.
"We will now spend the next few weeks collecting our wonderful donations and we will start to furnish the centre. People have been so generous, I can't thank them enough."
Mrs Downward said the next milestone will be holding worship in the hall, which she hopes will start again mid August.
She said: "That will be a real sense of celebration for us."
Salvation Army has been active in Stafford for 125 years and an official opening will be held on September 19.
The fire was caused by arsonists setting alight the bins outside in the early hours of August 29.
Staffordshire Police are still investigating.
