A charity has expressed its delight after gaining planning approval to permanently convert a former pub into a community hub for the homeless and those in poverty.

New Beginnings was given permanent permission last week to turn the former Queens Arms pub on Great Knollys Street into a café with an ancillary shop.

The charity, which aims to prevent and relieve poverty and financial hardship in Reading and the greater Berkshire area, was previously given temporary permission to change the use of the building in October 2017 for three years.

READ MORE: Former pub will become permanent hub for homeless

Grace Gomez, chair of New Beginnings Reading, said: “It is wonderful news. We are over the moon.

“I am not really sure why it was temporary last time around. We had been searching for a premises for nearly two years.

“When we saw the pub, I was over the moon but I had no idea we needed an application for change of use. We had to do lots of research.

“Initially we had no money. A stranger contacted me and said they would donate money which was enough to pay the planning costs.

“Many thanks to this person. To this day, I don’t know who it was.”

“We have been able to help so many people in Reading.”

The Great Knollys Street centre was initially launched as an alcohol-free pub and Ms Gomez said people still call it a pub but she would call it a community hub.

The old pub was turned into a community centre, with an all-night café, night shelter for the homeless, community fridge for distributing free food to those in need and an after-school Café offering meals, clothing, and support for parents and children.

The all-night café, shelter for the homeless and after school club are currently closed until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

People now queue outside for the community fridge, food bank and clothing service, keeping two metres apart.

Ms Gomez said: “It has been full on. Although we had to close some services, we have been able to help Reading with food at a time when it was really needed.”

But Ms Gomez said she would “love to get back to seeing people face to face”.

She said: “It is great we have been able to support the community but what is missing is the interactions with people. That element of socialising is just as important as food and clothes.

“A lot of people are finding it very difficult and it hard because cannot really engage with them.

“People are getting anxious and scared again with talk about another lockdown. People who wouldn’t normally need our services are coming forward.”

Hundreds of rough sleepers have been temporarily housed during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many put up in B&Bs and hotels, and the charity continues to offer help with their other needs.

READ MORE: Half of rough sleepers temporarily housed during Covid-19 crisis now in longer-term accommodation

Ms Gomez said: “Some of them only have a kettle, so people are coming back. We give out hot food four days a week and we are still helping them with food, clothes and toiletries.”