The new Pavilion Cafe at Levengrove Park will be used as a training kitchen for adults recovering from mental health issues and addictions and those with learning disabilities and autism.

The cafe, which is next to the playpark, will also provide opportunities for trainees to develop employability skills and gain work experience to support their return to work.

Managed by West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), the premises will be open from 10am to 4pm every day.

It will sell hot drinks and homemade food, including baking, hot and cold filled rolls and freshly made soup.

The outside decking area, meanwhile, has been equipped with hooks so that dog walkers can secure their pets outside the main building.

Allan Macleod, chair of the HSCP, said: “The opening of this café will be a great benefit to residents and visitors to the park.

"The café will introduce the trainees to cooking, take on more responsibility and increase their confidence as they interact with the public and learn real experience to help them find employment opportunities.

"I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project, and look forward to visiting the café very soon.”

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It is the latest social enterprise café to be established in the area joining the seasonal Slipway Kiosk in Balloch Country Park and The Community Hub in Dalmuir Park.

The cafe is also the latest development in a £2.6million Heritage Lottery Funding investment in the park.

The investment from this funding will also cover a community engagement ranger, situated within the Pavilion to provide new activities and events within Levengrove.

Councillor Marie McNair, vice chair of the HSCP, added: “I am delighted to see this facility open and I am sure it will be well used by both regular visitors to the park and residents.

"The café is situated right next to the playpark and is an ideal location where parents and carers can relax while keeping an eye on the kids enjoying the outdoor activities.

"Along with being a café, the facility is being used to offer vital real life work experience through our Work Connect programme.

"I would like to thank everyone who has worked on this great community facility which I’m sure will be very popular throughout the year.”