A KNUTSFORD company has marked 50 years of operation by making a donation to a Longridge charity.

Global plastics distribution company Albis, based on the Parkgate Industrial Estate, has been in the UK for half a century and in Knutsford for 43, and marked the occasion by giving £5,000 to The Welcome community centre.

Tanya Taylor, finance director at Albis, said: “Albis UK has been in the UK for 50 years, 43 of those in Knutsford and now employees 120 staff locally, and to celebrate our 50 years, the company and group wanted to give something back to the community and area where they are based.”

Staff at Albis, which is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, presented a cheque to The Welcome’s operations manager Marie Fox last week.

Having recently undergone a renovation, The Welcome is getting ready to extend its opening hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to 4pm – 8pm.

The longer hours will see the café offer a home-cooked menu as well as a ‘chill zone’ for younger visitors starting on June 9.

The initiative is supported by Cheshire East Council Youth Services and Great Places Housing Group.

Started up in 1995, The Welcome has grown into a fully functioning community centre offering a wide range of activities, services and support to the people of Longridge and Shaw Heath.

The charity also offers affordable home-cooked meals from its café.