THE Hive's new venue is set to be bigger and better than expected after being awarded a further £25k funding.

The former De Bees club, in Winsford, is set to become a new community cinema, live music venue and community asset.

Hive fundraisers say the additional money means the planned development of the music bar can now be more ambitious than planned.

Cllr Damon Horrill, founding member of The Hive, said: "As a result of its latest successes the Hive can now afford to think bigger with the plans for the venue and hopes to be able to deliver just about everything the community asked for during the extensive consultationprocess throughout 2019.

"Lockdown stopped the project in its tracks but the Hive has been kept busy throughout developing plans and successfully identifying and applying for further funding."

There will be space for up to 400 people on a big night out, with clear views to a main stage for more than 300.

A community cinema will have more than 100 seats.

Bingo, workshops, classes, large community meetings and celebrations, gaming tournaments, tea dances, indoor bowling and craft markets are among the many planned events.

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The proposed building will be fully accessible and aside from the venue will feature a dedicated communal dining area for What’s For Tea to be made available every day as well as an outdoor food, drink and entertainment area,"said Cllr Horrill.

The proposed first floor will provide workspace for the Hive student mentoring programme as well as rehearsal, recording and broadcasting facilities.

New plans for the radical transformation of De Bees will be submitted for consideration by Cheshire West and Chester Council planners this month.

The Hive Live Ltd, a charitable community benefit society, completed the purchase of the De Bees site in January.

It followed considerable fundraising efforts, plus community investments using the online Ethex platform and grant funding from Big Society Capital – all totalling £160,000.

A further £100,000 was then raised to carry out renovations, thanks to a £50,000 grant from More Than a Pub and a £50,000 loan from Co-operative and Community Finance.