A popular cafe at a Preston hospice is undergoing a major expansion.

The Mill at St Catherine’s Hospice has been regularly turning people away due to high demand since opening in late 2014.

Now hospice bosses are planning a major extension to the building within the grounds of St Catherine’s Park.

It will mean there’s space for another 30 diners as well as a new function room.

St Catherine’s say they’ve seen high demand for occasions like funeral receptions, birthday celebrations and baby showers.

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Hospice chief executive Stephen Greenhalgh said: “It takes a huge effort to find the capital for a project like this, but the long-term benefit is regular income that is so vital to our ability to keep caring for growing numbers of local people. The financial challenge of raising the funds we need has never been greater, but The Mill phase two offers a way to continue growing this regular income-stream in a way we know already works.

“From the first campaigners and fundraisers who got St Catherine’s off the ground in the early eighties, innovation and creativity have been central to the charity’s approach. We are confident that The Mill phase two will continue this legacy, and that the investment will bring lasting benefits to the patients and families we care for and the wider Central Lancashire community. It also brings an additional benefit of creating more jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people.

“We are proud of what we have achieved so far, but are determined to move forward with our mission to help more local people facing life-shortening conditions to have quality of life, to the end of life.”

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Do you visit The Mill? What do you think about the extension? Let us know in the comments below