THANKS to a grant of almost £17,000 from Devon County Council, Crediton Arts Centre now has a warm, light and welcoming foyer to greet the 250 people of all ages who pass through its new doorway during a typical term-time week.

They come to enjoy the range of visual arts, writing, language and dance classes, shows and clubs, which take place in the Centre's East Street building opposite the parish church. Those visitors now also have the use of an attractively refurbished kitchen area.

County Councillor Nick Way, with further support from his colleague, Michael Lee, was instrumental in securing the funds for the project, which came from DCC's Investing in Devon project, fuelled by money from the sale of Exeter Airport.

Award-winning local architect David Treadaway, an active member of the Arts Centre, drew up the plans and oversaw the day-to-day running of the project. Structural Engineer Simon Bastone provided further advice and local craftsmen Melvin Windsor (builder), Ken Williams (electrician), Philip Wright (joiner) and Ron Matten (painter) carried out the work.

Committee member Geoff Fox, who looked after the paperwork for the project, said: "Local businesses could not have been more helpful – we often ordered supplies and they were on site within an hour or two. In particular, RGB Supplies, A&S Paving and Ashgrove Kitchens gave us great support."

The old granite doorstep to the original 19th Century Hayward's school building was carefully removed and embedded in the inclined paving area which provides improved disabled access.

Attractive lighting (designed by David Treadaway in conjunction with Amos Lighting of Exeter) picks out the old stonework and sunken spotlights lead down to the oak doorway, where the enlarged foyer space, a box office counter and the usual friendly Arts Centre welcome await the audience to a show.

The next chance to enjoy the new facilities will be Cromwell's Cut, a production by the Arts Centre's in-house Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company, written and directed by local playwright Tim Hole. November 18 – 21 at 7.30pm, with tickets from The Record Shop (01363 774299) or Crediton Arts Centre (773260).