A community hall is financially recovering after pandemic closures with the help of a large donation.

Curzon Hall Community Centre, in Curzon Road, Dover, has received a £1,000 boost.

It has been a big help for the hall, which had to close at the start of the coronavirus lockdowns in March 2020 and reopened for hire at the end of last year.

The money has helped the venue recover from a financial shortfall over that period caused by restrictions of gatherings of people and total lockdowns.

Curzon Hall, in Tower Hamlets, is hired out for local community groups and charities.

The money came from Barratt Homes, which is behind the Richmond Park development in Whitfield.

Chris Tyler, centre trustee, said: “External funding has been a vital lifeline for us, ensuring we can continue to function and offer much needed social premises to our community.

"We are still getting back on our feet, but that would not have been possible without the donation from Barratt."

Natalie Perry, sales and marketing director for Barratt Kent, commented: “It has never been more important for communities to have a public place to meet, celebrate, take part in activities or just socialise.

"Curzon Hall Community Centre is a thriving educational, social and recreational resource in Dover, and we are proud to do our part to ease some of the financial burden, and ultimately ensure that its doors remain open to residents.”